Columbus – Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with fifteen other states, Guam, and the City of San Francisco, today issued a letter to Pabst Brewing Company, asking the beer manufacturer to change the formulation and the marketing of its new alcoholic beverage, "Blast." Promoted under the Colt 45 label, Blast is sold in 23.5-ounce containers at 12 percent alcohol by volume with marketing that appeals to young adults.
"It is wrong, irresponsible, and dangerous to be marketing to underaged kids. Blast could easily be called a 'binge-in-a-can,' according to the standards set by respected public agencies," said Ohio Attorney General DeWine. "Drinking a full can of it would be like consuming the alcohol in more than four regular, 12-ounce bottles of beer. With prom season underway, it is especially important that we do all we can to protect our kids from the dangers of alcohol use."
Its fruit flavors, along with the brightly colored 23.5-ounce cans and the use of a hip-hop celebrity spokesperson, are indications of a youth-centered marketing campaign.
The other signatory states include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington.
A copy of the letter is available www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/BlastDrink.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840