Punjab government mulls ban over energy drinks for youth under 18
The Punjab government is considering to put a ban on all the energy drinks for youth under the age of 18, mounting it the first state in India to implement such a restriction. The drinks will be banned in school canteens shops located in close proximity of children.
The move comes as government views energy drinks as a potential risk to health owing to their high caffeine and taurine content and addictive nature.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the drug addiction begin at school level. Following his visit to schools in several districts , he learnt that about students get addicted to energy drinks.
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.
'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.
- PTC NEWS
