State Sen. wants to ban Four Loko in RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Stimulant enhanced alcoholic beverages are already banned at the University of Rhode Island. Now one local lawmaker wants Four Loko forbidden across all of RI.

Sen. John Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) plans to pre-file legislation to ban the beverages.

Four Loko is sold in 23.5 oz. cans in a number of flavors. It contains the same amount of alcohol as about five regular cans of beer and also contains guarana, a caffeine-producing fruit.

The addition of the caffeine to the beverage means the alcoholic high lasts longer than normal, and the blood-alcohol level often rises to the point where drinkers pass out or become ill. The drink has become known as "blackout in a can."

Phusion Projects of Chicago, which makes and markets Four Loko, said the product contains no more caffeine than a tall Starbucks coffee and that they work closely with stores and distributors to make sure the product is sold to and used only by adults of legal drinking age.