Punjab to ban ‘addictive’ energy drinks for children

The Punjab Government is all set to ban the sale of energy drinks to the youth below 18 years of age.

These drinks will also be banned at places frequented by children, including school canteens and shops located in the vicinity of schools.

Dr Balbir Singh, Health Minister, said drug addiction was starting at the school level. He said after his recent visit to schools in various districts, he learnt about students getting addicted to these energy drinks and strawberry quick (a form of crystal meth that looks like strawberry candies).

“While strawberry quick is sold near schools, energy drinks, which cost just Rs 20 per bottle, are sold in many school canteens and shops located in places frequented by students. We will ensure that their sale is banned,” he said here today.

Dr Balbir Singh said the issue had been discussed by members of the Cabinet committee, formed to monitor the state government’s war on drugs.

Sources confirmed to The Tribune that the Health Minister had okayed the ban on the sale of energy drinks to the youth. The consumption of energy drinks by the youth has been banned. The government is of the view that these drinks are not just addictive, but also have potential health risk because of the high caffeine and taurine content.

“However, before issuing a formal notification, we are getting it legally vetted from experts. Punjab may be the first state to issue such a ban. It has been observed that many children are getting addicted to these drinks to get an instant high. From energy drinks, they later progress to other narcotic drugs. The caffeine content in these drinks is three times higher than in other aerated colas. It is much higher than the permissible limit. There are examples abroad of these drinks being banned for children below 15 years of age. The legal team is examining how to make the ban legally tenable, before a formal notification is issued,” said a government official.