Catherine Stihler, Scottish Labour MEP

If you combine caffeine and alcohol (and no I am not talking about an Irish coffee taken at the end of a meal) into a pre-mixed drink, it is no surprise that this potent cocktail has damaging effects not just on the individual but also on society at large. There is a growing drinks market in the EU of these types of products which is targeted at the young and which has the potential for serious side affects and can be fatal. Caffeine addiction can lead to chronic panic attacks, chest pains and a racing pulse. According to experts, many users of caffeinated alcoholic drinks feel sober and alert, even when drunk – which increases the possibility of driving and operating machinery under the influence.

In Scotland there is a particular problem with one caffeinated alcohol product in particular called Buckfast. This product is not new, it has been around for centuries and is called a "tonic wine". However it is neither a tonic nor a wine in the common sense of the word with15% alcohol, plus 281mg of caffeine (the equivalent to drinking 8 cans of Coke). It is a favourite drink of under age drinkers and due to the green glass bottles, you will find broken green glass in many children's playgrounds due to a heavy drinking the night before by teenagers. Strathclyde Police have cited the product in over 5,000 police reports and in 500 incidents of violent crime. With this kind of anti-social behaviour it is no wonder that there is a growing movement to call for a ban on all caffeinated alcohol products. I think the time has come to take radical action and ban pre-mixed caffeinated alcohol throughout the EU. It is a public health danger and the cause of anti social behaviour in many communities across the EU. Please join me in my campaign to ban caffeinated alcohol products.