Local Expert Warns About New Caffeinated Booze Drinks

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The high octane, fruit-flavored, caffeine-alcohol drink Four Loko is causing quite a buzz.  Some state governments are scrambling to limit its sale or ban it outright.

As the FDA prepares to ban caffeinated energy drinks, the manufacturers of Four Loko say they will reformulate their drink without the caffeine.

Dr. Thomas Gould, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Temple University, says that would probably make the drink a bit safer:

"It takes your body a while to figure out how much alcohol's in there, so if you're consuming a lot quickly it's easier to get at a toxic level quicker."

Folks on the street had a lot to say about this drink:

(Man:)  "I think what you're seeing with caffeinated beverages is they're appealing to a younger demographic, people that would not necessarily be of a legal age to drink.  And much like with cigarettes that you can't market to children, it seems like these products are being marketed towards people that are underage to drink."

(Woman:)  "I think it's pretty dangerous.  I mean, it's got a lot of stuff in it, all combined.  I think it has like three Red Bulls, a cup of coffee, and I'm not even for sure what else it has in it.  But that's a lot of stuff."

Dr. Gould says that when alcohol is combined with caffeine, people tend to consume more of it.

Reported by Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio 1060.