A Harvard professor believes the next big thing will be people inhaling their caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. As critics say the novel product is not without its risks.

The product, called AeroShot, went on the market last month in Massachusetts and New York, and is also available in France. A single unit costs $2.99 at convenience, liquor and online stores.

David Edwards, Biomedical engineering professor said AeroShot is safe and does not contain common additives, like taurine, used to amplify the caffeine effect as in energy drinks. Each plastic canister contains 100 milligrams of caffeine powder, near the amount in a large cup of coffee, plus B vitamins.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York wants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to review AeroShot with fears it will be used as a club drug so that young people can drink until they drop. Schumer’s national press secretary did not respond to calls for comment.

Edwards said Schumer’s comments are understandable in the context of developments, when students in search for a quick and cheap buzz began consuming caffeine-packed alcoholic drinks they dubbed blackout in a can because of their potency. Yet he said AeroShot is not aiming at anyone under 18 and it safely delivers caffeine into the mouth, just like coffee.

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