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Christian activists help get alcohol inhalers banned in Tar Heel State

A Christian activist in North Carolina is praying that a new state law banning alcohol inhalers could have a big impact nationwide.



Last month, lawmakers in the Tar Heel State approved Senate Bill 125, which banned alcohol inhalers. Referred to as "AWOL devices" (alcohol without liquid), the inhalers consist of an oxygen generator and a hand-held vaporizer that, when used together, produce a mist of alcohol that can be inhaled through the mouth into the lungs, where the alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. They have become popular throughout Europe and are now marketed to the United States as "the ultimate party toy."

The bill -- which was signed into law by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley on June 27 -- makes it unlawful to inhale fumes for the purpose of intoxication or to make, sell, give, deliver, possess, or use the device. Pastor Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, says the bill's passage could have a ripple effect.

"What makes this a great thing is it's going to have a national impact, we hope, in that it shuts [down] the business that is marketing these devices, Spirit Partners -- in North Carolina, at least," he states.

As of April, alcohol-vaporizing devices had been banned in 22 states. Creech is hopeful other states will follow North Carolina's lead -- and that his fellow Christians will get involved. "One of the lessons that we ought to learn from this is that any time that we discover something poses a public health risk, we ought to act on that," says the pastor. "We ought to do something about it, rather than just say 'Oh my, isn't that terrible.' We ought to act and try to make a difference."

In an earlier column for OneNewsNow, Creech documents the dangers of using AWOL devices as well as his role in getting the North Carolina General Assembly to debate and ultimately pass the new law banning the device from the state.