Big Red follows suit in banning Four Loko

Some state lawmakers are considering banning or restricting the sale of new high-caffeine alcoholic beverages gaining popularity on college campuses, but many of the state’s liquor stores may pull it from the shelves much sooner.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, which represents about half of the state’s 1,000 package liquor stores, is sending e-mails and letters to members urging them to remove the products from their shelves out of concern that they promote irresponsible drinking.

The drinks, known on some college campuses as “Blackout in a Can,” are coming under increased scrutiny across the nation and have been banned in three states. Just last month, nine Central Washington University students were hospitalized after a party where they were drinking one of the products, Four Loko.

The liquor store association says the beverages, which retail for $2 to $4 and also sell under the name Joose, have been selling well. But the group is calling for a ban in Indiana, citing concerns that the drinks can encourage overconsumption because the caffeine can block the effect of the alcohol.

Big Red Liquors and Bloomington Liquors have already pulled the product from their shelves.