FIRST we had alcopops. Now manufacturers keen to corner the market on young drinkers have come up with the next generation of designer drinks - already being dubbed 'Viagrapops'.

The Vodka-based drinks do not use Viagra, but herbal infusions which are said to have an aphrodisiac effect. They are expected to sell up to 120m bottles in the first year alone.

Passion fruit-flavoured Roxxoff, which apparently combines a fungus and herb used in Chinese medicine with a hefty 5.4 per cent alcohol content, is expected to be first on the market.

Advertising, featuring a scantily-clad Dannii Minogue, reportedly claims its "scientifically blended concoction of potent and proven aphrodisiacs" has the potential to produce "randy super beings".

But do our teenagers really need more encouragement to get drunk and have casual sex? Or is this an alcopop too far?

Di Keal, 42, former social worker and mother of three school-age children

"There are enough problems with young people indulging in too much alcohol amongst other things as it is, without this. It's just another way for the multinationals to make a fast buck. There should be legislation to prevent this.

Young people are getting mixed messages. They are being told they need to look after their health, and then the multinationals are making a fortune by throwing this at them.

In Malton and Norton there are already enough problems with kids and drink. Teenage pregnancy rates are going up, and this certainly doesn't help with the safe sex message or health message. This is a retrograde step. It's dreadful."

Heather Causnett, 69, part-time legal secretary, mother and grandmother

"Frankly, this is the last thing we need. It is bad enough putting alcohol into what is supposed to be a fairly harmless drink. I don't think they need the additional buzz of an aphrodisiac as well. It is aimed at younger people and, in the nicest way, I would not have thought they needed it. To add something more to alcohol, especially something that might encourage them to behave recklessly, is irresponsible. I don't think it should be possible for young people to get these sorts of things so easily. Young people are poor at analysing things and looking at them in a grown-up way. If they see something advertised, they will go for it.

We have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe, which shows how irresponsible many women are. This is making a link between drink and sex. It is bad enough spiking drinks. If you are putting something in to make you sexier than you already are, it is irresponsible."

Updated: 08:55 Tuesday, March 25, 2003