12-year-old rushed to hospital as calls ignite to ban energy drink sales to under-18s
The hospitalisation of a 12-year-old child from energy drinks consumption has led to calls for stricter regulations.
At Monday’s North Central Area Committee meeting, Labour Councillor Alison Field said a child in her constituency recently required medical attention due to highly caffeinated drinks. With links to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia, and anxiety, she’s calling for the sale of the drinks to under 18s to be regulated.
Several European Union countries have already introduced similar regulations and in places like Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania under 18s cannot purchase them. The council agreed to write to the Ministers for Children and Health to consider stronger regulation on this matter.
The motion was supported by Fine Gael Cllr Supriya Singh who stressed this issue is “about the health and wellbeing of the young people in our community.” She cited the negative effects of highly caffeinated drinks on young people.
“When young people rely on these drinks regularly, it can create patterns that are difficult to break,” she said. “As a mother of two young kids, I am also concerned about the long-term effects. What does frequent consumption from a young age mean for heart health? For mental wellbeing? These are questions we should not ignore.
“These drinks are heavily marketed around sport and gaming culture, making them seem normal and even aspirational. When something becomes part of fitting in, it quickly becomes a habit. And habits formed in adolescence can last for years.
“This is not about blaming young people or restricting choice unnecessarily. It is about acknowledging that children are more vulnerable to marketing and social pressure. That is why we already place age restrictions on alcohol and tobacco.”
Green Party Cllr Donna Cooney said that, as a parent, she too is concerned by the excessive amount of caffeine in energy drinks, which are often the equivalent of several cups of coffee in one can. She highlighted that a bill calling for the banning high-energy or stimulant drinks to under-18s was set to go before the Dail before, but was delayed.
“I don’t understand why we don’t have legislation that they aren’t to be sold to minors in shops, it has a detrimental effect on health,” she said. “If other countries can put in that legislation we need to.”
She also said it’s important to educate young people on just how dangerous these drinks can be. While for many they might be viewed as simply “a sweet drink,” she explained that often “they don’t realise the level of caffeine.”
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