He was speaking after Aberdeen trade body UNIGHT imposed a similar ban on anyone found using the drug.

Mr Wallace said the issue was discussed yesterday at a licensing board update event at which council officials advised license holders to treat mephedrone as they would cocaine or ecstasy.

“During the course of the day a representative from Tayside Police did make the point that licensees should be aware of this new trend of bubbles,” he said.

“We advised the license holders to take a zero tolerance approach to anyone caught with this substance. From reading the background notes on this it is clear it does create possible anti-social behaviour and that cannot be tolerated.”

Mr Wallace added the council could only “advise” license holders on the issue due to the current legal status of mephedrone.

But convener of the Dundee Licensing Forum Colin Rattray said bouncers at the city’s clubs and pubs were already treating bubbles as any other illegal substance.

“If we catch someone taking a substance we detain them and contact the police and it is up to them and the procurator fiscal from there,” said Mr Rattray, who is also manager of Dundee’s Fat Sam’s nightclub and vice-president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

A Tayside Police spokesman said a member of the force’s licensing group had attended yesterday’s event.

“He highlighted the increased use of or bubbles — with the aim of raising awareness and understanding about the drug,” he added.

The surge in popularity of bubbles as a recreational drug in recent months has provoked fears over its safety and led to calls for it to be banned.

Meanwhile, NHS Tayside confirmed the accident and emergency ward at Ninewells has recorded a “definite upsurge” in the number of people seeking treatment for the drug’s effects.

Mephedrone is readily available to buy online and short-term effects include increased heart rate, memory loss, discolouration and suppressed appetite.

The Scottish Government has written to the Home Office calling for the drug to be banned as responsibility for re-classifying drugs lies with Westminster.