Latvia bans sales of energy drinks to under-18s

Latvia has banned the sale of energy drinks containing caffeine or stimulants like taurine and guarana to people under the age of 18.

The law, which was adopted in January and went into effect Wednesday, aims to protect children from potentially harmful effects such drinks could have on their health.

Under the law, cashiers must now ask younger customers for ID. Cashiers breaking the new law risk fines of up to 175 euros ($195).

Stores must place drinks with more than 150 milligrams (0.0053 ounces) of caffeine per liter, or containing like taurine and guarana, away from other . Signs must also discourage children, pregnant and nursing women from consuming them.

In 2014, neighboring Lithuania introduced a similar ban on sales to under-18s.

© 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Latvia bans sales of energy drinks to under-18s (2016, June 1) retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-06-latvia-sales-energy-under-18s.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Concern grows over high-caffeine drinks availability

1 shares

Feedback to editors