Picture: Senator Heather Steans and Senator Collins hold a press conference on flavored tobacco and alcoholic energy drink legislation.
Read "Legislative session ends with more than 270 bills sent to governor" in the Chicago Tribune on June 5, 2008.
"Yet another bill designed to protect the young was embraced, this one requiring energy drinks that have booze in them to carry warning labels. Sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) said she hopes to protect some young adults who buy the mixes without realizing the drinks contain alcohol."
Read Lawmaker says energy drinks need better warning labels in the Daily Journal.
"The products' colorful, hip packaging is too similar to that of popular energy sodas and can confuse consumers and retailers, said state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago....
Some of the alcoholic energy drinks pumped with caffeine, ginseng, guarana and taurine have alcohol levels greater than beer and some wines. While alcohol content is listed on the can, Steans said the words are too small or not written out."
Read "The buzz over alcoholic energy drinks
Some lawmakers pushing for stricter labeling requirements on specialized beverages"
in the Daily Herald.
"The confused consumer doesn't understand there is alcohol in these," said state Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat and one proposal's sponsor. "It's just not that evident on this can that it's alcohol."
