[Jan Fisher]

A Western Australian town has taken the brave step to ban energy drinks for people aged under 19.

The small town of Bridgetown, about 270 kilometres south-east of Perth, with a population under 3000, has agreed to take part in a research trial aimed at improving youth mental health and behaviour.

Justine Howard, senior research officer at the Telethon Kids Institute, which aims to improve children’s health, told SBS News studies show energy drinks are not recommended for children due to addictive ingredients and potential health impacts.

“In a 500 millilitre can of energy drink, for example, it contains [caffeine equivalent to] two cups of coffee, and up to 21 teaspoons of sugar, depending on the brand,” she said.
It can also contain an entire day’s salt intake for a child.

Ms Howard said energy drinks have been associated with a number of negative health effects including heart issues, sleeping problems, poor concentration and gut disturbances.

The ban will finish at the end of May.

What do you think? Should energy drinks be banned for younger people? Is such an idea even enforceable?

[Wicky]

Well done to this town for being so proactive but surely the parents need to take some/most/all responsibility for the healthy habits of their children.

[Elaine Teague]

I believe energy drinks should be banned everywhere for children. The ingredients are toxic to young children and the amount of sugar is unhealthy for adults too. When I was a kid in the 40’s and 50’s children were not allowed to drink coffee (can’t remember if it also applied to tea) in most households. Guess parents then knew what was bad for their kids.

[Author]

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