Restrict sales of 'Alco-pops'

The Legislature will decide this session whether to move "Alco-pops" (the fruity flavored, alcohol beverages that have been designed to appeal to youthful drinkers) from grocery stores to state-owned liquor stores, where they belong. The residents of Utah should ask our legislators to support this significant effort to reduce a burgeoning underage drinking problem in Utah. The national organization, Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems, has estimated that Utah has more than 32,000 young people with serious alcohol problems. These sweet soda-pop-like alcoholic beverages have enormous appeal to youthful drinkers, especially girls. All Utah legislators need to do to protect our youths is to properly move Alco-pops from the grocery stores to liquor stores.

George J. Van Komen, M.D.

chairman, Alcohol Policy Coalition

Salt Lake City