Keep energy drinks away from children! – Budapest newspaper – 2024-04-06 21:04:36

Bill

Written by Mirtill Radonyi

Preserving the health of young people must be a shared concern, regardless of party political affiliation. In this sense, the KDNP wants to ban the sale of energy drinks to people under 18 years of age.

Two Christian Democratic politicians, Lőrinc Nacsa and István Hollik, have submitted a bill to parliament that would ban the sale and distribution of so-called energy drinks to people under 18 years of age. In Hungary, the consumption of energy drinks by young people has now reached worrying levels: According to a survey, four out of five children and young people will soon be consuming energy drinks, including one in five children between the ages of 10 and 14 who regularly consume them for breakfast. This poses a serious health risk.

Boys are particularly affected

For this reason, the law on preserving children’s health was submitted to parliament by the small coalition partner. Violations of the rules for the distribution of energy drinks should be subject to the same sanctions as for the sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and sexual products. Since November 2011, relevant authorities have received almost 500 reports of incidents, illnesses and unpleasant symptoms related to the consumption of energy drinks. In most cases it was necessary to use the healthcare system. Three out of four of those affected were boys, the majority were in the 15-16 year old age group. The amount of energy drinks consumed varied between 1 dl and 2.5 liters (!) per person, with 22% consuming their energy drinks together with alcohol.

Ban required throughout Europe

In 40% of cases the place of consumption was one’s own home, in 23% the school, but in only 8% an entertainment venue. Experts agree that excessive consumption of energy drinks among young people poses a significant health risk. According to representatives of the European Society of Pediatric Cardiologists, more and more patients are being hospitalized due to an overdose, which is why they want the sale of energy drinks to minors to be banned across Europe.