One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
CA Senate Votes to Make Four Loko No-No, Ban Goes to Brown for OK
Stock up now, party people, before it's too late: In a move aimed at protecting the youth of our state could find caffeinated beer beverages, such as Four Loko, banned in California. All that the ban needs to go through is Governor Jerry Brown's signature, after the State Senate gave the bill, SB 39, legislative approval.
Authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) SB 39 would "restrict the import, production, and sale of caffeinated beer beverages at retail locations throughout the state."
Says Padilla of the bill, and his wish for Brown to seal the deal: "Caffeinated beer beverages are marketed to youth and are a threat to public health. The added caffeine masks the effects of the high alcohol content, which can lead to binge drinking and dangerous behavior."
The combo of booze and added stimulants, like taurine and guarana, and caffeine (and, often a pinch of reckless consumption) makes the drinks comparable to "drinking five cans of beer and one cup of coffee" all in one tidy little container. Plus, with their jazzy fruity flavors and youth-targeted marketing, the beverages have had mass appeal to young people in the country.
Concerns about the beverages have arisen in numerous states after incidents involving illness, or even death, of minors, consuming the beverages. "We should act now to help prevent similar incidents from occurring here in California," said Senator Padilla.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
