Iowa considers Everclear ban

JIM CLAYTON discusses the possible negative implications of highly concentrated alcohols, like Everclear. Photo: Sarah Andrews

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Commission (IABC) met Tuesday night to hear comments and concerns about the future sale of Everclear in the state. The panel of five held a public forum entitled “I Think” at Drake University to hear opinions on highly concentrated alcoholic bever­ages, such as Everclear, that may be flammable or very intoxicating to those consuming it.

The panel’s goal was to let the community weigh in on possible re­strictions and regulations of this bev­erage. Some ideas aimed at prevent­ing the overconsumption of highly concentrated alcohols (HCAs) were education for young adults and tax increases. Also discussed was the pos­sible decrease in size availability, the requirement of lower alcohol content levels and a complete ban of HCAs.

Another common opinion was, if the commission bans Everclear, individuals would still abuse other liquors.

Several citizens voiced concerns against tax increases.

“Taxing regular citizens who use it responsibly will eventually make them unable to afford it,” community member James Snapp said. Snapp uses the pint-sized bottle of Everclear in a recipe for apple pie.

The IABC found it appropriate to hold the forum at Drake in light of the students, faculty, staff and ad­ministration whom were all affected in November by a student’s consump­tion of Everclear as part of a frater­nity hazing.

“We hope that through educa­tion and awareness we can prevent this type of incident from occurring again,” said Jeremy Thompson, the representative of Luxco, the com­pany that is responsible for Everclear sales in Iowa. “The incident was a result of extreme irresponsibility. The same outcome would occur with any of alcohol.”

Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari says the university has taken several steps to educate students about the dangers of alcohol and has started an Alcohol Taskforce to address these issues.

In 2009, Story, Johnson and Polk were the top three Everclear selling counties in Iowa.

The committee will take the com­ments and concerns voiced during the forum, as well as those posted on its Web site, into consideration before making a decision at their next meet­ing. The IABC holds the jurisdiction to decide what alcoholic beverages are carried in Iowa.