A ban on caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks will take effect Nov. 18 in Washington state. The rule, adopted Wednesday by the state Liquor Control Board, comes after nine Central Washington University students were hospitalized in early October with high blood-alcohol levels after drinking a caffeinated malt liquor product called Four Loko, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. These "blackout in a can" beverages "are real trouble for our youth," Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said at a press conference Wednesday. The sale of caffeinated malt liquors has been restricted in Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma and Utah and New York Senator Chuck Schumer on Wednesday urged officials in his state to ban Four Loko and similar drinks, the Post-Intelligencer reported.
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