MP calls for Cocaine soft drink ban

An MP has lashed out over the controversial arrival of a soft drink called Cocaine in the UK for glamorising drug taking and called for it to be banned.

Labour MP Keith Vaz has tabled a petition for MPs against the drink which contains 350% more caffeine than Red Bull.

Speaking exclusively to the Morning Advertiser, sources from the newly-formed company Ocke Cokey confirmed that the high-caffeine stimulant drink, made from guarana and containing 750 milligrams of taurine, will be available in both the on and off-trade this summer.

The new product will be rolled out in red 8.4oz cans with the words "Cut Cocaine" spelled out in a white granular substance.

But Vaz has called for a ban. His Early Day Motion said: "That this House condemns the expected launch in the UK of the high energy drink Cocaine later this summer; notes that the American firm which developed this drink sells it as the legal alternative to the class A drug; further notes that it contains substances that numb the throat to simulate the effect of taking cocaine; welcomes the comments made by Drugscope that this is cynical and irresponsible marketing; believes that this drink may glamorise drug taking; and calls on the Government to stop its launch this summer."

Sources at Ocke Cokey told the MA last week: "It is going to create controversy, but that's the beauty of this name — everyone that objects to it is going to be selling my product.

"You've got products like the perfumes 'Charlie' and 'Opium' and they're fine."

The US version of the Cocaine drink contained wasabi and cinnamon to "numb the throat to simulate the effect of taking cocaine".

The US brand, which used the tagline "the legal alternative", was relaunched by Redux Beverages in February following complaints from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year over its purported health benefits.

• Read Jessica Harvey's exclusive interview with Ocke Cokey managing director Gary Shepherd over the Cocaine controversy here​​.