Omaha, Neb. -- Two youth-led news conferences are planned to urge the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to properly classify flavored alcoholic beverages, or alcopops, as distilled spirits according to state statute.

The events will be held:

• Thursday, July 24, at 9:00 a.m. in the Harms Building, Room A113 of the Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff; and
  
  
• Tuesday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. at the La Vista Police Department, 7701 S. 96th St. in La Vista.

Among those present will be youth, public health and safety officials, parents, community leaders and concerned citizens, all in support of appropriately classifying alcopops according to Nebraska statute to help protect young people. Members of the Project Extra Mile Youth Group in Scottsbluff will release the results of their survey regarding product placement and availability of alcopops and alcoholic energy drinks in retail outlets. 

On July 31, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission will hear public testimony on a proposed rule to classify alcopops as beer rather than distilled spirits, contrary to state law. The Commission has two options: 1) to continue ignoring statute, making them more available to young people while profiting the alcohol industry or 2) to protect kids according to Nebraska state law.

"For far too long, the Commission has ignored the health and safety of kids and allowed these dangerous products to be inappropriately classified as beer. Now is the time for Nebraskans to urge the Commission to follow the law," said Nick Jensen, youth spokesperson.

This proposed policy has significant implications for the public health and safety of young people and youth access to alcohol within the state. Allowing alcopops to be classified as beer leads to wider availability of the products, lower prices and increased advertising – these are all significant factors in reaching underage drinkers who report the highest consumption of alcopops.