Governor Cuomo signed legislation that will prohibit the sale of any powdered or crystalline alcohol product, also known as "palcohol," in New York State.

"This dangerous product is a public health disaster waiting to happen,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am proud to sign this legislation that will keep powdered alcohol off the shelves and out of the wrong hands.”

This powdered, freeze-dried alcohol is sold in small bags and is intended to be mixed with water to create alcoholic drinks. It is readily portable and easy to conceal in its powdered form -- increasing the ability for underage youths to gain access to it. Additionally, mixing incorrectly or ingesting it in its powdered form can lead to unsafe levels of intoxication.

With the signing of this measure, (S.1757A / A.8043), New York is joining more than 20 other states that have banned the substance.

Senator Joseph Griffo, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate, said, "For every substance or drug that has been abused by people in our communities, we often look back and ask ourselves if there is anything we could have done differently to prevent a wave of addiction from reaching the point of no return. By now making it illegal to sell powdered alcohol in the state of New York, this law signed today gives us that rare proactive opportunity to avoid exposing our most vulnerable to one more substance that could have a detrimental impact on their lives. We are all well aware of the unfortunate price that is paid when our children and our communities are gripped by substance abuse and addiction – promising lives are shattered, stable homes are turned upside down, and neighborhoods are left searching for solutions. So with that risk, there is absolutely no need whatsoever to introduce another form of alcohol that could only make it easier for minors to abuse.”

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said, “Powdered alcohol is a product with no legitimate reason for being. Kids can stash Palcohol in their pocket when they leave the house for a party and their parents would never know the difference. I’m pleased that New York has joined the growing number of states to ban the sale of this potentially dangerous product."