Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Inhalable Caffeine: Party Drug Or Handy, Pocket-Sized Boost? : The Salt : NPR

by Jordan Calmes

If you've ever lamented the time and effort it takes to brew or procure a cup of coffee, this might perk you up. "Breathable Energy. Anytime. Anyplace."

That's the campaign slogan for AeroShot, a plastic inhaler, roughly the size of a lipstick tube, filled with a powdery, calorie-free mix of caffeine, B vitamins, and citrus flavors. It's slated to hit stores in January, just in time for the New Year.

But some aren't so sure selling caffeine in pocket-sized tubes — and marketing it to young people — is a great idea.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), for one, says it could be a dangerous health hazard if it gets mixed with alcohol. Just last week, he sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg detailing his concerns.

The caffeine market is already a crowded place, between all the coffee, sodas, energy drinks, and novelties ranging from caffeinated gums to a chapstick called Spazzstick.




Inhalable Caffeine: Party Drug Or Handy, Pocket-Sized Boost? : The Salt : NPR

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