WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) September 16, 2004: Acting to protect the health and safety of Westchester residents, in particular young people, County Executive Andy Spano proposed a local law Tuesday that would ban the sale or use in the county of a machine that vaporizes alcohol so that it can be inhaled or snorted.

            The so-called AWOL machine (“alcohol without liquid”) is dangerous and will encourage alcohol abuse and underage drinking, said Spano, who has initiated numerous programs to stop underage drinking and drunk driving.

“This machine is dangerous,” said Spano. “Permitting the use of devices designed solely to achieve a quicker high – devices aimed primarily at young people – will likely lead to an increase in inexperienced  drivers getting behind the wheel in an intoxicated state, endangering themselves and others who use the roads.”  

            Spano was joined at a news conference Tuesday  by several police chiefs, who gave their support to his proposal to ban the use and sale of the AWOL machine. The bill has been sent to the county Board of Legislators.    

            If approved, the bill would ban the purchase, sale, possession with intent to use or the use of alcoholic beverage vaporizers. Violators would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, a prison term of up to a year, or both. Enforcement would be the responsibility of local police departments and the county Department of Public Safety. 

            As detailed by Spano, liquor poured into the AWOL machine is mixed with oxygen and vaporized; the vapor can then be inhaled, effectively administering a “quick hit” of alcohol to the user. Because the alcohol is inhaled directly into the bloodstream via the lungs, its effects are felt immediately.

            AWOL’s distributor, Spirit Partners, is marketing the product as a hangover-free, calorie-free and carb-free way to enjoy alcohol.  They are marketing AWOL to bars and restaurants, as well as to individuals for parties and weddings. 

            Spano said the machine is  fraught with risks, for several reasons:

•  While the distributor recommends limiting use time to 20 minutes, appropriate use and monitoring would be the primary responsibility of the purchaser. Use of the machine for more than 20 minutes at one time, or repeated use of 20 minutes each, could very quickly lead to blood alcohol levels at the impaired or intoxicated levels.  Further, what is to prevent customers from using the AWOL machine in addition to having ‘traditional’ drinks?  How accurately will a bar, restaurant, or party host be able to monitor the amount of alcohol consumed by each patron or guest?

• Bars and restaurants that cater to the younger (21-30 year old) drinkers, in particular, may see this as a marketing tool, a new “party machine,” that could increase their business. One could even offer incentives, such as a discounted price on your first vapor shot, to further encourage its use.

• It is well known that many underage drinkers still access bars with fake IDs and that binge drinking rates are high in this age group.  This machine could become just another binge drinking game for underage drinkers to compete in.

• According to AWOL’s own  marketing literature, the distribution of this machine is not restricted to “on-premise licensed establishments,” and can be purchased or rented for weddings and other private parties. If left unchecked, this machine could be sold or rented to anyone, without regard to age or intent.

• Many who are going to get behind the wheel of a car might not understand the immediate and direct effect of “vaporizing” versus drinking.