Bill to ban sale of energy drinks to children to be debated in the Seanad
It is currently at the discretion of shops if they sell energy drinks to minors or not, but new legislation would prohibit their sale to anyone under the age of 18 due to concerns around their health impacts.
The bill, which targets energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre or drinks with more than 80mg of caffeine per litre in addition to substances like taurine which 'may stimulate the central nervous system', would also include restrictions on advertising the drinks to under-18s.
Ads for the drinks would not be allowed near a school, youth club or at other venues attended by children under the legislation, while product packaging would also need to carry a warning of the 'adverse effects to a person's health of excessive consumption or use of stimulant drinks'.
'This legislation is necessary as it addresses the growing public health concerns surrounding the widespread availability and consumption of stimulant drinks, commonly known as energy drinks, among children and adolescents,' said Senator Sharon Keogan, who co-sponsored the bill alongside senators Diarmuid Wilson, Rónán Mullen and Sarah O'Reilly.
"These beverages, which are often high in not only caffeine and sugar but also other stimulants such as taurine, have been linked to adverse health effects, including sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and cardiovascular issues in young people.'
One 500ml energy drink can contain up to 14 level tablespoons of sugar or the equivalent of three cups of espresso, according to research conducted by health body Safefood.
It comes as a commitment was made in the Programme for Government to 'explore restrictions on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks, including a ban on their sale to children'.
The Irish Heart Foundation has been among those who have lobbied for a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children, including measures such as health warnings and restrictions on marketing and price promotions.
A plan to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s was also among the Labour Party's election promises in the UK last year.
A number of European countries have already taken steps to prohibit the sale of drinks to energy drinks to minors, including Lithuania, which introduced a ban on their sale to under-18s in 2014, and Poland, which implemented strict regulations last year.
Ms Keogan said such bans have resulted in 'significant drops in the consumption of stimulant drinks among minors'.
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