Illinois limits sale of powdered caffeine, bans powdered alcohol

Posted on July 17, 2015

State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant sponsored a measure banning the sale of powdered caffeine to people under 18. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Instant highs and instant booze should be harder to obtain, under a pair of new laws.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a bill sponsored by State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), banning the sale of powdered caffeine to people under 18. She said the bill was inspired by news of a young athlete’s death in Ohio.

“They say one teaspoon is like 25 cups of coffee,” Bertino-Tarrant said, “and the Poison Control Center has really taken an active role in trying to do this nationwide.”

Another bill the governor signed outlaws powdered alcohol for everybody. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is pursuing a federal ban.

How do you make alcohol and other drugs unattractive to kids?

“Research shows very clearly that the most influential person in a youth’s life is their parent,” says Sara Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, “and their parent’s expectations.”

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