CZECH – The Czech government is considering a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children under 15, following cabinet approval of a proposal aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of stimulants.
Unlike alcohol or tobacco, Europe currently lacks harmonized regulations for energy drinks, and the importation of many of these drinks will also need to be addressed.
For comprehensive child protection, potential regulations should limit harmful ingredients not only in drinks but also in other foods, according to news channel ČT24.
Members of Parliament from all parties agree that excessive consumption of energy drinks is a growing problem. The motion states that the incidence of diseases linked to high consumption of sweetened drinks is high and increasing in the Czech Republic, particularly among children.
Health risks include obesity, high blood pressure, tooth decay, mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný plans to initiate an expert discussion between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the proposal’s authors to further develop the bill in its second reading.
The proposed ban would prohibit the sale of energy drinks in healthcare facilities, schools, childcare centers, and at events targeting children under 15.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health could set regulations on the composition, labeling, packaging, and advertising of these drinks to reduce excessive consumption among children.
The Association of Soft Drinks Manufacturers has criticized the proposal, calling it excessive and advocating for educational measures to raise awareness about potential health risks instead.
European Food Safety Authority (efsa) , in “Energy” drinks report, found that, among respondents, the age group most likely to consume “energy” drinks was adolescents – 68% of total respondents – and that “energy” drinks when consumed by children aged 3 to 10 years account for an estimated 43% of their total caffeine exposure.
Meanwhile, according to an HBSC study, one in five schoolchildren aged 11 to 15 consumes energy drinks at least once weekly.
Sleep issues are common among regular consumers, with almost half of affected children reporting such problems. This trend mirrors that of neighboring countries, where the number of young energy drink consumers has doubled since 2018.
A similar ban came into effect in Poland at the beginning of this year, covering children up to 18 years old, with ID required to purchase energy drinks containing caffeine (over 150mg) or taurine.
Similar sales bans have been in place in Lithuania and Latvia since 2016, and in Turkey since 2018. In June, the UK’s legislatures also pledged to ban the sale of energy drinks to those under 16 but have not yet announced such a ban.
Health organizations have been calling for energy drink bans for children for years. The UK had planned to ban sales of energy drinks to those under 16 in 2019, with around 90% of the population reportedly in favor, but this ban never came into effect. As a result, there is currently no regulation on the sale of energy drinks to children in the country.
While major retailers have implemented policies prohibiting sales to those under 16, smaller stores and vending machines remain unregulated.
In January this year, more than 40 health organizations called on policymakers to restrict energy drink sales to children. Their push was accompanied by a review of 57 studies in the Public Health journal.
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