Where did all the alcopops in utah go? Well there definitley not in gas stations or grocery stores. Supposedly these "alcopops"(which are the fruity alcoholic drinks like Mikes Hard Lemonade and Smirnoffs that were sold next to the beer.) are nothing more than a ploy to introduce young teens into the liquer industry. The company's that produce the beverages are going to have to make new labels for there bottles especially for Utah to prevent accidental purchases. One of the most confusing, say the government is the energy-alchoholic drinks look to much like the other energy drinks so they need to have a new label put on them clearly stating that they are alcoholic. I read that Smirnoff, one of the larger distributors may pull there product from Utah altogether rather than deal with the strict rules and guidlines Utah is trying to enfoce
Seriously, I would be willing to bet that not very many people have bought these drinks on accident. I mean they are right next to the beer, isn't that alone enough to make people realize what they are? People need to read the dang label before they buy things.
While reading blog posts about this subject I found that a lot of people are upset about the new law. I read quit a few posts by different people that say the only reason this happened is because of the heavy influence of the LDS church in our government. I found a post that was kind of funny and expresses what i'm talking about. I found it at http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4415589&comments=true written by Cache kid on Oct 1, 2008
"I'm not moving, I'm staying.
Your majority is shrinking.
Within a few years the nons plus the jacks will have a majority.
Once that happens, the FIRST THING we'll do is to legalize privately owned liquor stores, with drive thru's. Then we'll pass a law saying nude dancing is OK in liquor store parking lots. Then we'll outlaw Jello"
By "nons" they mean non-mormons and by "jacks" they mean jack mormons, just to clarify.
I don't really know what to think, It does creates more hassal for myself having to drive to the state liquer store instead of the grocery store, and of course paying about two bucks more for a six pack. But at the same time if it really will help cut underage drinking then it would be a good thing, I will always want whats best for people, but then why is Utah the only state doing it? I mean I guess it's not to much of a shock living in Utah with are 3.5% beer and no privatley owned liquer stores and a law that says no coolers in liquer stores because if the liquer is cold people will be guzzling it the second they get in their car.
I personally can't help at least somewhat agreeing with the people who say the church has a little to much influence in government in Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints counsels members not to drink alcohol, and the church is highly influential among state lawmakers on alcohol policy. The mormon church highly supported this law all along its way into effect. Utah has some of the strictest liquor laws in the country, and is it a coinsidence that Utah also has a large Mormon population?
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Good topic, Ty. There is no doubt that the conservative nature of Utah's population (I'm speaking of the majority, of course, not everyone) translates into more conservative laws. The part that, as you mention, causes some to complain is that the laws often seem to mirror the religious views of a particular segment of the population, which many argue is unconstitutional. We have a representative government, which means that our elected leaders represent us. The problem is deciding what that means. Do they act primarily as the voice of the majority, or do they act as a representative for all voices in their constituencies? Regarding the issue of alcopops specifically, much of the controversy surrounding them, as you point out, has to do with the way they are packaged. In essence, these may be two separate issues. On one hand, there is the issue of making drinking attractive to minors who should not be drinking. On the the other hand, there is the issue of making drinking difficult for those who can legally drink, and whether or not the conservative and/or religious environment contributes to this difficulty. I'm not saying these issues are mutually exclusive, but neither are they exactly the same. What about the rest of you? What do you think?
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