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Date Published: 20/10/2023

Spanish region bans the sale of energy drinks to children

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Galicia has become the first region in Spain to pass a law to protect minors from “caffeine bombs”

Spanish region bans the sale of energy drinks to children

They might give you wings, but the northern Spanish community of Galicia has given energy drinks their marching orders, at least as far as minors are concerned. From next year, these caffeine-laden beverages will take on the same status as nicotine and alcohol, and children under 18 won’t be allowed to buy them.

It’s expected that many other regions in Spain will soon follow suit as it’s an issue which has been raised time and again across Europe, but most governments seem reluctant to crack down on these money makers which have flooded the market.

However, it seems in Galicia that that politics is beginning to listen to the messages that doctors and public health organisations have been sending for years. These drinks are a ticking time bomb for minors, especially because there is hardly any awareness about their effects.

Taking things a step further, not only will stores not be allowed to sell energy drinks to minors, but from 2024, advertising aimed at children will be prohibited and these products cannot be sold together with soft drinks.

The future law is responding to the huge increase in consumption in recent years: 45% of teens between 14 and 18 years admit to drinking energy drinks on a regular basis, according to the Study Report of the National Drug Plan, while 16% frequently mix them with alcohol – an often lethal combination.

Experts often refer to energy drinks as “caffeine bombs” because they are highly stimulating and calorie-dense. They contain huge amounts of caffeine – one 500ml can holds 160mg and is equivalent to two espressos – and a sickening amount of sugars.

With all this in mind, several consumer organisations in Spain, like the OCU, are pushing for the government to introduce warning labels similar to those found on cigarette packets, that would advise people of their “high caffeine content” and warn that they should never be consumed with alcohol.

In other news: Did you know there is a specific licence for driving automatic cars in Spain?

Image: Pixabay

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