Editorial: Big trouble in palms of hands

Just when the Government finally makes a move to change the alcohol laws some company comes up with a product to make it even easier for young people to get drunk.

From December 18 it became illegal to supply alcohol to someone under the age of 18 years "unless the person supplying the alcohol is the parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner, or the person supplying alcohol has the express consent of the young person's parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner." Good move.

However, the ink was barely dry when a company released alcohol in a packet. Branded Cheeky, the cheap 25ml packets contain flavoured alcohol that are meant to be added to mixers.

The pouch is designed to fit into the palm of your hand, pocket or wallet and contains 20 per cent alcohol.

The marketing is aimed at our most vulnerable people - young people who have no idea what alcohol abuse can do to body and mind.

The Government needs to step in and stop the sale of these things now.

How on earth are security teams at alcohol-free events going to stop people smuggling these tiny packets in?

It will be impossible to stop them getting into events and if the producers of these things really think they are not dangerous and nothing is done to stop this, I guess we will just have to wait until someone ends up in hospital or worse before the powers that be put a stop to it.