In a letter to TTB Administrator, John Manfreda, the attorneys general said that alcoholic energy drinks mimic non-alcoholic energy beverages that are very popular with youth. They warn that alcoholic energy drinks pose serious health and safety risks. According to medical researchers and public health professionals, the stimulants in alcoholic energy drinks may cause an intoxicated person to falsely believe that he or she can continue to drink and function normally.
Aggressive marketing campaigns claim these alcoholic energy beverages increase a person’s stamina or can have an energizing effect. However, the ads do not mention the potentially severe, adverse consequences of mixing caffeine or other stimulants and alcohol, the attorneys general said.“Non-alcoholic energy drinks are very popular with today’s youth,” Attorney General Morrison said. “Beverage companies are unconscionably appealing to young drinkers with claims about the stimulating properties of alcoholic energy drinks. We urge TTB to take action to stop companies from making misleading claims.”
The attorneys general also requested that TTB investigate whether alcoholic energy drinks are properly classified as malt beverages based on the percentage of distilled spirits contained in the drinks. In many states, the federal malt beverage classification enables cheaper and broader sale of these drinks, making them more readily available to young people than distilled spirits.