Lookalikes...

I have to admit... I don't spend time hanging out by the alcohol cases at our local store.  I have many reasons for this, but that's for another post someday.  My time is pretty much limited to passing by while trying to find the seltzer or soda in a new store. Quick glance... nope not what I'm looking for... keep going.

In the last few weeks, I've been to three trainings by Vermont Department of Liquor Control officers and have been amazed at the crossover in the physical appearance of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  In many cases you'd have to know the product to be able to tell that it contained alcohol.

At one of these trainings Jennifer Fisher of the VT Department of Liquor Control encouraged the participants, who were store clerks, to take time stop in front of their coolers and really study the products.    I took her up on the challenge.  Below are some of the pictures I snagged.  If you have children or teens and are not aware of how much copycatting the alcohol industry is doing of non-alcoholic drinks... or vice versa... I'd encourage you to stop by a cooler... without your children... and take a close look.  (Note: Please don't do this if you know that you have a personal weakness towards alcohol and this could be a trigger.)

Which one(s) contains alcohol?

Similar colors and size.

How about in this grouping?

Some manufactures are fairly clear with their labeling.

A bit less so...

And even more hidden...

As parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors, it's our responsibility to be proactive and check out what are kids are drinking.

In Lamoille County, 64% of high school students ever drank alcohol (59% state), 39% (33% state) of all high-schoolers drank alcohol in the last month, and 37% (46% state) have had liquor in the last 30 days.  Eighteen percent said that they had had more than a taste of alcohol before the age of 13.  Four percent of these teens said that they had purchased their own alcohol, while 61% said that they got their alcohol from someone else (either were given/or gave someone money to purchase).  Lamoille County Data for 2013 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Thank you to the local market that let me take these pictures.  Youth attractive labeling presents significant concerns for sales clerks.  The store I visited had wisely put all of the alcohol with bright labels up high.