Ecstasy-like drug mephedrone has been totally banned in the European Union (EU) 27 member states, European Commission announced Friday.

EU Justice Ministers agreed Friday to ban the manufacturing and the marketing of ecstasy-like drug mephedrone, which is still legal in 12 EU countries.

"This drug is sold over the internet, often behind innocent names like plant food or bath salts. Young people should not be fooled. These drugs are harmful. The EU has shown today that we can act quickly to stop this kind of drug from taking more lives," Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said.

Mephedrone, a stimulant comparable to ecstasy or cocaine, has caused two direct deaths in the EU and linked 37 deaths in Britain and Ireland alone.