Heart Foundation 'puzzled' by delay on energy drink ban for under-18s
Director of Advocacy and Patient Support with the Irish Heart Foundation, Chris Macey, has said that he is "really puzzled" that a Government decision on banning the sale of energy drinks to under-18s is to be delayed for a public consultation.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said this has been an item of discussion for several years.
"There was Government research six years ago highlighting that we've got among the highest consumption of energy drinks in Western Europe. There is plenty of evidence out there on the health harms, some retail chains have even voluntarily restricted sales to children.
"And the Government parties were concerned enough about this issue to include it in the programme for government."
The legislation, which was introduced by Independent Senator Sharon Keogan, is currently before the Seanad.
It defines a stimulant drink as a non-alcoholic beverage for human consumption, which contains more than 80 milligrams of caffeine per litre. The ban on the sale and promotion of these drinks would not cover tea and coffee.
The Government agreed to table what is called a timed amendment which will pause any ban for at least 18 months.
A Government spokesperson said that a body of work first needs to be carried out to identify any public health concerns and appropriate policy responses.
Mr Macey said that there are a lot of different reviews and research studies showing that energy drinks are harmful to mental and physical health of children and young people, as well as their behaviour and education.
"Studies have found consumption is associated with various serious adverse effects like seizures, cardiac abnormalities, behavioural disorders, headaches, stomach aches, tiredness, fatigue. And then excess sugar consumption is associated with tooth decay, diabetes and obesity, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke and some common cancers."
Mr Macey added that the Irish Heart Foundation does a lot of work in schools on areas like nutrition and physical education.
"And teachers have repeatedly highlighted with those that children are consuming energy drinks as breakfast replacements, that they're affecting pupils' mood, well-being, behaviour that there's disruption to classes.
"And teachers have also said that pupils are consuming these drinks, both in large quantities and that the age group consuming them is getting lower and lower.
"We've got a youth advisory panel that's advised us that we should seek these restrictions on energy drinks."
Several EU countries have already restricted the sale of energy drinks, Mr Macey said: Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and outside the EU, the UK Government has promised to ban sales to under 16s.
He said it sounds like the process is starting from scratch.
"Which is very disappointing given that this has been a policy item or an item of discussion for several years. And as I say, even retailers themselves are taking action and the government hasn't, and isn't planning in the near future to back that up."
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