CHICAGO — With concerns mounting from physicians and public health advocates nationwide about the health dangers associated with powdered alcohol, the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted policy during its Annual Meeting supporting federal and state laws banning powdered alcohol in the United States. Approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in 2015, powered alcohol, also known as "Palcohol," is equivalent to a standard-sized cocktail when mixed with six ounces of liquid.

"Given the variety of flavors that could be enticing to youth and concerns that the final alcohol concentration could be much greater than intended by the manufacturer, we believe that powdered alcohol has the potential to cause serious harm to minors and should be banned," said AMA Board Member Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D. "We urge states and the federal government to prevent powdered alcohol from being manufactured, distributed, imported and sold in the U.S."

Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among America's young people, and, when used in excess, it is responsible for 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Amidst growing concerns about the product's appeal and availability to youth, more than 30 states have passed laws or administrative policies banning powdered alcohol.

The AMA has been a long-time advocate for reducing youth access to alcohol and is a strong supporter of banning the marketing of alcohol products that appeal to people under age 21.