Council Member Says Caffeinated Drink Glorifies Graffiti

Council Member Peter Vallone is decrying a new energy drink that he says promotes vandalism. All City NRG, a caffeinated beverage put out by the New York-based AriZona Beverage Co., features graffiti-influenced art on its can and in promotional material. "This product shamelessly glorifies a culture of vandalism and lawlessness," Mr. Vallone said yesterday. "If this drink was called 'pickpocket pickup,' and had pictures of criminals lifting wallets, wouldn't people be offended?"

A spokeswoman for AriZona, Francie Patton, described graffiti as "a worldwide type of art form" and said the can's design is not intended to encourage vandalism.