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Lawmakers battle new way to drink For many, the term "nightlife" evokes images of 20-somethings mingling in a club with a beer or mixed drink firmly in hand. What doesn't spring to mind is a picture of the same people inhaling vapor composed of pressurized oxygen and alcohol through tubes -- but nationwide use of these alcohol without liquid, or AWOL, machines has become increasingly popular with the younger set. The AWOL device debuted in England but was brought over to the U.S by Spirit Partners Inc., based in Greensboro, N.C., in 2004. Sheap rus hotel Kiev. Though very few Illinois establishments have acquired vapor alcohol machines, safety concerns have spurred state Rep. Patricia Bellock, R-47th District, of Westmont, to sponsor a bill banning use of the device before their presence becomes problematic. The bill would stop the sale and use of the devices without approval from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and has already passed through the Illinois House. "It's being called the ultimate party toy," Bellock said. "The vapor goes straight through the blood vessels to the brain, rather than going through the stomach and being filtered by the liver." The cylindrical device stands about 6 inches tall, with a slightly more narrow tube protruding from the top. By inhaling vaporized alcohol, makers claim that individuals are not only able to feel the effects quicker but also circumvent such drinking-related nuisances as added calories and hangovers due to the oxygen-rich nature of the cloudy vapor. Bellock and several other state legislators are particularly worried about the dangers these machines pose for minors. "Kids get high almost within 10 minutes of inhaling," Bellock said. "They (AWOL devices) could have a devastating effect, especially on underage drinkers." Research shows that 13 percent of all alcohol sold in Illinois is consumed by minors, she added. "These machines pose concerns about how intoxicated people think they are, and how intoxicated they might actually be," said Richard Yoast, director of the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse for the American Medical Association. Also worrying legislators is the impact these machines could have on drinking and driving, a problem already at epidemic proportions in the U.S. According to Bellock, lawmakers in Springfield listened as members of the Illinois State Police testified that an accurate breathalyzer reading was unlikely if alcohol was consumed by use of a AWOL device. Several states, including Colorado, Kansas and Michigan, have already passed laws banning the vapor machines. While enforcing the ban for bars and clubs does not pose a significant challenge, online sales are another matter. AWOL devices, which cost an average of $300, are frequently sold through Web sites like eBay. "States have control if a firm is operating in Illinois and shipping illegal items out of the state, but it's very hard to monitor what's coming in," Yoast said. The bill has been forwarded to the Illinois Senate and a decision on the issue is expected in two weeks, according to Bellock. |