Fresh calls to BAN energy drinks for anyone under the age of 18 – as it’s revealed one in four youths suffered heart palpitations or insomnia after drinking a can
- Research centre boss Jonathan Carapetis wants energy drinks banned for kids
- Study showed quarter of children who had energy drinks had heart palpitations
- Researchers want Gina Trapp said politicians should intervene in sale of drinks
A children's health expert has called for energy drinks to be made banned for anyone under the age of 18.
Telethon Kids Institute executive director Jonathan Carapetis echoed calls from the Australian Medical Association to stop children from buying energy drinks.
A study carried out by his organisation which surveyed 3688 children found a quarter of them who consumed an energy drink had experienced heart palpitations.
A children's health expert has called for energy drinks to be made banned for anyone under the age of 18 (stock image)
'We are currently advocating for a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children due to the significant negative impact these drinks have on children's health,' he told the West Australian.
Telethon Kids researcher Gina Trapp said politicians should intervene in stopping the selling of energy drinks to children.
Share this article
'We have local evidence to suggest the high volume of use and risk of adverse events is a public health concern... our findings, combined with international evidence, indicate that legislative and policy changes addressing young people's access to energy drinks are warranted,' she said.
A quarter of the children surveyed also had trouble sleeping, headaches and upset stomachs.
A study carried out by his organisation which surveyed 3688 children found a quarter of them who consumed an energy drink had experienced heart palpitations (stock image)
Australian Beverages Council chief executive Geoff Parker said a ban was not needed, and pointed out energy drinks contain the same amount of caffeine as a similar-sized cup of coffee.
'Australian energy drink manufacturers have committed to a voluntary code that doesn't supply or sell into schools, market or advertise to children... parents should be arming themselves with as much information as they can,' he said.
Full results from the Telethon Kids Institute study are due to be published later in 2019.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
