Otago University and the National Addiction Centre researchers have rated alcohol more harmful than the class B1 drug Fantasy, otherwise known as GHB.

Otago University's Professor Doug Sellman says their study shows that alcohol would be classed as a B1 drug if it was brought on the market today.

He says the study also found that alcohol causes more serious long term health issues, and the risk of abuse is much higher than for Fantasy.

He says banning Fantasy sends the wrong message when alcohol is sold in supermarkets.