Sale of Energy Drinks to Persons Under 18 to be Prohibited

The purpose of the bill is to create a legal basis for limiting the circulation of energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine for the health protection of individuals under 18. This was stated today, November 27, during a meeting of the Permanent Committee on Economic Affairs of the National Assembly by the MP from the Civil Contract party, Alkhaz Ghazaryan, who reported on the draft bill proposing amendments and changes to the law on "Trade and Services" authored by him and several other MPs from the same party.

He informed that approximately 40% of adolescents consume energy drinks weekly. "Such beverages do not contain any nutrients necessary for a healthy diet," said Alkhaz Ghazaryan.

The draft law proposes to prohibit the sale or any other form of distribution of energy drinks to individuals under the age of 18, as well as their sale through automatic devices and other technical means, with specified penalties for violations.

The legislators suggest adding a provision to the law stating: "Energy drinks displayed for sale must be provided with a separate consumer shelving unit (section) marked 'Energy Drink' and must contain a clear inscription stating 'Not recommended for persons under 18 years of age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for individuals suffering from high nervous excitability, insomnia, and hypertension' and be placed in a visible area."