Government Makes "Alcopops" More Expensive

German parliamentarians on Thursday approved a price hike for sweet, alcohol-based drinks that have become a hit among the country's youth. So-called "alcopop" drinks are going to cost 84 cents more, in an effort to stem what government officials deem an alarming rise in their popularity. The drinks mix Bacardi with lime juice, or Campari with grapefruit in order to sweeten down the taste of the alcohol. According to a recent government report, every second alcopop bottle sold is drunk by someone between the ages of 14 and 17. Teens from this age group consume, on average, one such drink a month, according to the government figures.