Call for health warnings on alcoholic energy drinks
24/6/08; Health and drug experts are backing a call from the Greens for the NSW Government to follow Victoria’s lead and consider mandatory health warnings on “alcopops” laced with high doses of stimulants. Consumer Affairs Victoria is investigating allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct over the marketing of ready-to-drink, high-energy, alcoholic drinks. The Australian Drug Foundation says the drinks are turning many young people into “wide-awake drunks” with delusions of sobriety, placing them at double the risk of injury and dangerous behaviour. The foundation’s chief executive, John Rogerson, has described the combination of alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine and guarana as a highly dangerous cocktail of drugs, while Victoria’s Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson, has issued public warnings about the adverse effects of alcoholic energy drinks.