On April 8, a new product was approved by the United States Alcohol Trade and Tax Bureau — powdered alcohol. Under the product name “Palcohol,” this approval gained significant public attention. However, not long after making headlines, that approval was surrendered. This unfortunate act must not go unnoticed. As consumers, we must realize that without the support of the general public, we will have to wait even longer for such an important and innovative product to be available.

As it turns out, powdered alcohol has been around for quite a while — the Seattle Times published an article on a similar product in 1977. Frustratingly, numerous previous attempts to get it in stores have all failed, at least here in the United States. Powdered alcohol is currently available in multiple countries like Germany, Mexico and Japan. Our country is known for its innovation, but in this case it is obvious we have fallen behind.

Even though our society has thus far functioned without the advantage of powdered alcohol, there are many reasons to fight for its approval. The benefits of this product are numerous and widespread. One major advantage to having alcohol in such an easy-to-carry form is an ability to sneak drinks into places where this would have previously been all but impossible. The problems caused when public events ban alcohol, yet frustratingly allow non-alcoholic beverages to be consumed, could easily be overcome. Accordingly, Palcohol would provide an excellent way for minors to wait until they actually arrive at their destination to get tipsy, rather than be forced to “pre-game” and drink excessively just before leaving. Anyone not willing to pay the high price of drinks at nightclubs or sporting events could just bring their own and drink on the cheap.

Additionally, while there are currently a few ways to include the pleasure of inebriation to the things we eat, powdered alcohol would give almost all food the ability to get us hammered. Plus, even if the authorities start to screen for possession of Palcohol powder, there is always the possibility of bringing along some snacks that have that certain special ingredient. Undoubtedly, adding alcohol makes all food better. To enhance any bland and unremarkable dish, just sprinkle on some powdered alcohol to give it an extra kick. Surely the time has come for restaurant tables to have Palcohol sitting next to the salt and pepper.

Making alcohol so convenient would also help conceal the shame of alcoholism, as it would be much easier to slip some fun into what appears to be a regular, boring drink. Similarly, one can imagine how entertaining sneaking a few shots into a friend’s drink would be. If everyone had an emergency pack or two of Palcohol in their back pocket, parties could spontaneously erupt any time people start to get bored.

The bottom line is that alcohol is simply not easy enough to carry around. Even at this very moment, as I write this column while getting drunk in class, I can truthfully say that I would greatly appreciate having a few packs of Palcohol in my backpack. Everyone should be able to get sloshed whenever and wherever they please. This is America, after all.

We must fight for Palcohol to become reality. It has the potential to be an amazing innovation that enhances our daily lives, and ignoring its possible benefits would basically be an insult to science. Clearly, the Alcohol Trade and Tax Bureau made a mistake when it retracted the approval of Palcohol. However, the inevitable public outcry that will come as a result will help fix that mistake. If all goes well, the proper regulations will get sorted out and consumers will hopefully be able to expect to see Palcohol on the shelf within a year or two.