Since 2011, health professionals in Canada have been sounding the alarm over the risks associated with energy drinks containing high levels of caffeine. They’re calling for stronger rules to protect these young consumers. Dr. Olivier Drouin, a prominent pediatrician, suggests that the current measures, which include warning labels and marketing restrictions, may not sufficiently safeguard children under 16. Teenagers are drinking energy drinks in record numbers. These new figures have ignited a raging discussion over whether Canada should impose tougher rules such as Canada’s former colonies in Britain.
Growing Concerns Over Caffeine Consumption
Recent studies indicate a troubling trend: more teenagers are consuming energy drinks daily, often in excessive amounts. Dr. Olivier Drouin, one of the study’s authors, points out that consumption rates in Ontario have doubled in the last five years. In fact some data report numbers jumping up to 20 percent or more.
David Hammond, a tobacco expert at the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences agrees with these fears. What he really wants to push the alarm bell on is young people in Canada consuming caffeine at excessive, potentially harmful levels. And we know that many kids eat them at high levels. They’re crushing four or five cans a night,” he explained, emphasizing the frightening trend of high levels of consumption among youth.
Under the existing regulations, energy drinks are required to provide warning statements. These warnings are meant to protect children under 14, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and those who are sensitive to caffeine, warning them not to consume. Hammond takes issue with these warnings, saying, “Those warning labels take a microscope to read on various cans. In short, he says, the labels aren’t present enough to be useful. They do a poor job of clearly warning young consumers about the dangers before they acquire them.
Proposed Changes in Legislation
As far as tackling marketing goes, Dr. Drouin encourages limiting marketing strategies that target children. For one, she says don’t draw the connection between energy drinks and cartoons or sports characters. He argues the rules as they stand do not go far enough. Yet they do a poor job regulating inappropriate energy drink marketing to youth audiences.
Additionally, Dr. Drouin supports preventing the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 years old. He asserts, “I just don’t think a 14-year-old can weigh all of this in his decision to get an energy drink.” We were pleased to see him do this, especially because these drinks provide zero benefits for teens. Instead, they threaten people’s lives on a massive scale.
British lawmakers have recently proposed a ban on selling energy drinks containing at least 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter to anyone under 16. The goal of this new initiative is to better protect our young consumers from the adverse health effects of excessive caffeine intake. If passed, businesses that fail to comply with this ban could face fines ranging from £1,500 (approximately $2,800 CAD) for small businesses to £2,500 (about $4,670 CAD).
Potential for Change in Canada
The call for energy drink regulations in Canada took real flight after Britain’s introduction of their proposed legislation. Dr. Drouin hopes that this move will motivate similar action within Canada. He stated, “I don’t see any downside to it,” suggesting that stricter regulations could effectively mitigate health risks among youth.
Now, alarm bells are sounding over caffeine pouches that market themselves as promising healthier substitutes to energy drinks. These products have been inappropriately marketed on platforms like TikTok. These products have as much or more than 200 mg of caffeine apiece and are increasingly drawing in young consumers.
Hammond hopes that Britain’s proposed ban will serve as a model for other countries. He remarked, “I believe it creates a much stronger precedent for other countries to follow.” His remarks underscore what’s becoming an increasingly global dialogue on the need for stronger regulation of energy drinks.
