Issue Date:  -  Friday, 31 January 1997

Retailers to be asked to boycott 'Speed' soft drink.

Fair Trading Minister Doug Shave has branded as irresponsible plans by a Victorian manufacturer to market a new drink, called Speed, in Western Australia.

Mr Shave said he believed the drink's advertising campaign would be targeted at the teenage market, but he was concerned that the product's name had unfavourable social inferences.

"This is a product which could clearly be associated by our youth with an illegal and deadly drug," he said.

"If that were to happen, it would counter the Coalition Government's long-standing strong position against the use of illicit drugs.

"While the product is not illegal, I have grave concerns about the way in which the manufacturer could promote this drink."

Mr Shave said he would write to the Retail Traders' Association asking that it encourage its members to boycott sales of the soft drink Speed.

"I would expect the business community to reject the product and certainly I would be particularly concerned if the drink was sold in shops near, or on, school premises," he said.

Mr Shave said he would seek support from his Cabinet colleagues, Health Minister Kevin Prince and Police Minister John Day, in pressuring the manufacturer to withdraw the drink in its present form from the market.

Media contact:
Anabel Gomez
Tel: (08) 9366 0300