Shura Council approves proposal to ban sale of energy drinks to children

A proposed law that aims to reduce the consumption of energy drinks in the nation has been approved by legislators yesterday. Ban on sale of energy drinks to those under 18 years could be implemented as a proposed law was approved yesterday by the Shura Council.

This comes after its youth affairs committee placed a proposal intended to reduce the consumption of energy drinks in the country as reported by Tribune yesterday. The proposal now needs to be drafted to law and referred to the House of Representatives. According to the proposed law, those who sell energy drinks to children would be fined up to BD2,000.

If the law is passed, the commercial markets would be required to make it clear that the drinks are not for sale to those under 18 years. The law would also prevent the free distribution of energy drinks as well as their advertisements. Social media was rife with rumors that the Shura Council was moving towards a total ban on energy drinks.

However, the committee clarified that the proposal is not intended to enforce a total ban on consumption of energy drinks, rather is intended to restrict and limit the consumption on those under 18.