Energy Drink Ban Proposed for Minors

NACS Daily News

A ban proposed by a Cleveland council member would make selling energy drinks to anyone under the age of 18 a fourth-degree misdemeanor in the Ohio city.

​CLEVELAND – A Cleveland council member introduced an ordinance at a city council meeting earlier this week that would ban the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 18, Newsnet5.com reports.

Councilman Kenneth Johnson introduced the measure, which would also keep the drinks out of vending machines that minors could access.

“Many energy drinks contain 70 to 80 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce serving, which is three times the caffeine in cola drinks,” Johnson wrote.

Cleveland-area teens expressed opposition to the potential ban.

“There’s a lot of us that drink it either in the morning or after school,” said 17-year-old Cheyanne Burton who consumes at least one can a week. “I don’t know what’s so bad about teens drinking energy drinks,” she added.

“I like the taste,” said 17-year-old David Clayton. “I don’t really need it for energy. I get enough sleep at night.” Clayton said he drinks about three cans a week.

Under the proposed legislation, distribution of the drinks to minors would constitute a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The proposal requires a two-thirds majority approval from council members and approval from the mayor to take effect.

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