Project Overview:
SAFE in Harlem is launching the Can Confusion Awareness Door Hanger Project to educate the community about the placement of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages in local stores. This effort is part of our broader environmental prevention strategy to reduce underage alcohol access by promoting informed retail practices and community awareness.

 
What is Can Confusion?
Through our youth-led Alcohol Outlet Density Mapping Initiative, we found that many local stores place soft drinks and alcoholic beverages in the same cooler sections. Compounding this issue, several soft drinks and alcoholic beverages from the same manufacturers have nearly identical packaging. This makes it difficult for both youth and store staff to distinguish between products at a glance, increasing the risk of underage access to alcohol.

 
Our Approach:
We are raising awareness about the importance of thoughtful product placement to reduce “can confusion” and underage access to alcohol. As part of our educational campaign, we are collecting community feedback on a potential 5-foot separation recommendation between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This input will help us better understand public perspectives and inform future prevention strategies.

 
Community Feedback Form Text:
To: New York State Liquor Authority and Local Elected Officials

As concerned community members, we support efforts to reduce underage access to alcohol by encouraging thoughtful product placement in stores.

We believe that separating alcoholic beverages and soft drinks can help minimize confusion caused by similar packaging and placement.

This educational feedback is intended to:

-Highlight the issue of “can confusion” in our neighborhoods
-Encourage safer product displays in retail environments
-Contribute to a healthier, youth-protective community

We invite local leaders and agencies to consider this feedback as part of broader efforts to create safer environments for our youth.

Disclaimer: “Stop Can Confusion” is an educational initiative created by SAFE in Harlem to raise community awareness about product placement practices in local stores and their potential impact on underage alcohol access. This campaign is not intended to support or oppose any specific legislation, but rather to inform and engage the public on environmental prevention strategies.