Overview
- An Aesan–Shopperview barometer reports 91% support for banning energy‑drink sales to under‑16s, 54% backing a ban up to 18, and nearly 80% favoring limits on ads aimed at children.
- The ministry is studying a retail prohibition on energy‑drink sales to under‑16s as part of the initiative, but a cross‑ministerial agreement on a wider sales ban remains unresolved.
- Energy drinks are already removed from school menus and barred from vending machines and cafeterias under a decree approved last year.
- The World Health Organization warns that marketing of low‑nutritional‑quality foods raises children’s calorie intake and commonly uses influencers and sports figures to persuade young audiences.
- National data show 80% of children and adolescents consume unhealthy products and 36% of 6–9‑year‑olds are overweight, with studies linking frequent energy‑drink use to sleep disturbances and, at high intakes, cardiovascular and psychological issues.