Pubdate: Sun, 05 Feb 2006
Source: Lowell Sun (MA)
Copyright: 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.lowellsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/852
Author:  Rebecca Deusser
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?228 (Paraphernalia)
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n817/a06.html?283982

A NEW HIGH, OR LOW?

'Vapor Alcohol' Leaves Lawmakers In A Huff

BOSTON -- State lawmakers are moving quickly to ban a device that 
lets users get drunk by simply inhaling.

The device, AWOL (alcohol without liquid), mixes spirits, such as 
vodka or whiskey, with pressurized oxygen to create a vapor, 
according to the product's Web site. A person inhales the cloudy 
mixture through a tube for about 20 minutes to consume one shot.

Kevin Morse, president of North Carolina-based Spirit Partners, Inc., 
the company that makes the AWOL device, did not return repeated phone 
calls last week. Anyone caught with the device could face six months 
of jail time or a fine up to $200, under the proposed law.

There is no research on the health effects of inhaling alcohol, but 
the idea makes health officials nervous.

"The inhalation of other drugs is often the speediest way to get 
drugs in the body, so I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't speed the 
flow of alcohol's effect on the brain," said David Rosenbloom, 
director of the youth alcohol prevention center at the Boston 
University School of Public Health. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"The concern is this is a direct pipeline to the brain," said Dr. 
Marc Siegel, a professor at New York University Medical School. "It's 
very difficult  to regulate the amount of inebriation you have 
because it's such a rapid pathway." Siegel also said inhaling alcohol 
allows it to avoid passing through the liver, which filters toxins 
out of the body.

Spirit Partners cites comments from England's Department of Public 
Health several times on its Web site, saying inhaling alcohol is no 
more dangerous than drinking it, if a person follows instructions 
properly. British officials did not respond to questions submitted by 
e-mail. "It's an expensive toy, so I don't expect it to be under 
every kid's bed," Rosenbloom said. "But I am sure people will find 
ways to commercialize it, and find ways to experiment with it. Could 
it spread? Sure. But there is no evidence  of that yet."

The company touts AWOL as a low-carbohydrate way to experience 
alcohol without the risk of hangovers, calling it "the ultimate party 
toy," which  promotes "a sense of well being and a mild euphoria."

AWOL costs about $300, and can be purchased online. That marketing 
pitch spells trouble for many lawmakers on Beacon Hill, who worry it 
could be harmful for teens and college kids. "It just seems like 
something with a lot of potential for bad," said state Rep. Barbara 
L'Italien, D-Andover, a co-sponsor of the bill to ban the device. "If 
we block them now, before we hear they are bad, then all the better." 
Peter Christie, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant 
Association, said he does not know of any members who have expressed 
interest in  buying the device or who object to a ban."We are all for 
the responsible service  of beverage alcohol, and whether this is or 
not, it's not beverage alcohol," Christie said.

Peter Cressy, president of the Distilled Spirits Council, supports 
the ban. "The suggestion you can ingest alcohol and not have a 
hangover, we think is a dangerous suggestion," Cressy said. Cressy 
said the device does not pose competition to the alcohol industry.

He said eight states have banned the AWOL machine. Cressy is a former 
chancellor of UMass Dartmouth and was a long-time Massachusetts resident.

Rosenbloom supports the ban, but he said the state could do more to 
discourage young people from drinking, such as raising taxes on 
alcohol and encouraging parents to talk to their kids about drinking. 
"This is a new and cute and easy thing to do, but I'm not critical of 
them for doing something about it," Rosenbloom said. "There are 
important and effective opportunities for legislative action to 
reduce teen drinking that will be much more important than this."

State Rep. John Quinn, D-Dartmouth, a sponsor along with state Sen. 
Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, said the Legislature is often accused 
of being reactive. "I think we are trying to stop something, and 
trying to be ahead of the curve for once. I don't know if we should 
be criticized for that," he said. State Rep. James Miceli, 
D-Wilmington, said he would support banning AWOL. Miceli acknowledged 
he has never voted to ban cigarettes, known for causing serious 
health problems.

"People have a right to smoke, though it is self-destructive, they 
are not hurting others," Miceli said. "But if someone vaporizes, and 
they go out on the road, they are playing Russian roulette."
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