Vodka brand's money gun deemed 'inappropriate'

A complaint made by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) against Au Vodka Gold Gang Money Gun has been upheld by the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel.

The item in question is an accessory available from Au Vodka, which is designed to spray money and, according to the brand, 'the perfect toy accessory for any Au lover'.

The complaint from WSTA was made under one Code rule, which raised concerns that the branded merchandise had a direct association with violent, aggressive, dangerous and illegal behaviour.

The panel, led by the Portman Group, noted that the accessory's design was consistent with that of a firearm.

It also noted that the shape was based on a firearm weapon, including how it would be held by a consumer and that it ‘fired’ money from where bullets would typically be fired.

Despite the company changing the name of the product to ‘money sprayer’, the panel considered that this did not address its concern with the fundamental design of the merchandise or the link it created to a real-life firearm. 

"Alcohol and guns do not mix, and producers must always avoid such scenarios," says chair of the Independent Complaints Panel Nicola Williams. "Whilst the panel noted that not all ‘guns’ are intrinsically linked to firearms, there were numerous aspects about this product which, combined, displayed similarities with a real-life firearm and any association between a firearm and an alcoholic drink is wholly inappropriate."

No offence taken

Regarding Code rule 3.3, whether the Gold Gang Money Gun caused serious or widespread offence, the panel noted that while the design and function of the AU Vodka Gold Gang Money Gun created an indirect association with dangerous and violent behaviour, it did not directly promote gun crime or criminal activity and considered that most consumers would recognise it was a novelty item designed to spray money. Therefore, the panel did not uphold the complaint under Code rule 3.3.

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