ALBANY (AP) -- The state Senate committee on drug and alcohol abuse is holding a public hearing on sweet alcoholic drinks known as "alcopops" and the rise of underage drinking.
Sen. Jeffrey Klein, chair of the committee, has introduced a bill that would require that all beverages with more than 6 percent alcohol, 1 percent sugar, and a fruit flavor be sold only in liquor stores. That would include drinks like Four Loko and Joose.
Klein and the state Liquor Authority pressured the makers of Four Loko and similar brands to pull their alcohol and caffeine-charged drinks from New York store shelves in November. Now a new version of Four Loko is out, with the same 12 percent alcohol but without caffeine.
The hearing is at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Albany.
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