Aussies could be cut off from their favourite pre-mixed bevs in 2025 as proposed alcohol guidelines crack down on sweet canned drinks.
Liquor and Gaming NSW revealed the shocking news last week as part of their latest efforts to curb underage drinking, with the regulatory body arguing that brands were appearing “too attractive” for young people.
While the move isn’t exactly surprising since a government ruling earlier this year saw Hard Solo forced to rebrand as “Hard Rated” following complaints the branding was targeted toward minors, it seems like the organisation is on a mission to pull a slew of Aussie favourites from store shelves.
According to industry sources, manufacturers have been warned that some drinks could be deemed “undesirable” if they taste ‘too appealing’, particularly RTD’s (Ready to Drink) featuring “confectionary or desert-based” flavours.
Alcoholic drinks that combine booze with “prominent soft-drink brands” are also a prime target, “particularly if the taste of alcohol is masked, and the flavour of the non-alcohol branded product is prominent”.
According to The Daily Telegraph, one industry source said the decision “empowers unelected bureaucrats to become pseudo ‘taste police’ cruising the aisles of the local bottle-o and banning drinks they decide are too fun”.
Does that mean that we’re stuck skulling down only alcohol that taste’s like shit? Well, kind of.
I like a beer as much as the next bloke but some of your favourite knock-off bevs, like flavoured vodka, whiskey and cola and even my beloved alcoholic ginger beer are on the chopping block.
And taste isn’t the only factor. According to the current wording of the guidelines, drinks that are too affordable could also be banned as appealing to minors, putting bargain bin mainstays like Little Fat Lamb and Passion Pop in the firing line.
The ban is already facing backlash
Luckily for me, I’m not the only one upset at the thought of saying goodbye to a box of guava cruisers as everyday Aussies bite back against yet another ‘nanny state’ ruling.
Sky News host Caleb Bond has already mocked NSW bureaucrats for considering “extraordinary laws” to ban premixed drinks.
“In NSW, they are considering extraordinary laws to ban premixed drinks that they consider to be too tasty,” Bond said.
“The draft guidelines take aim at drinks which combine alcohol with popular soft drinks. What do they think they are actually stopping here? Except you being able to choose what you want to drink.”
Premier Chris Minns himself even came out in support of the drinks industry, saying “we’ve got to let people live their lives”.
“I think we can manage and moderate the risks of underage drinking without wiping out or stopping adults from making their own decisions in their life,” he said.
So far, nothing is set in stone, so keep your fingers crossed and stock up on your favourite Fizzers while you can.
