Quebec tables bill cracking down on sale of energy drinks for teens

quebec city’s wellness government minister tabled statute law fri taking aim at the potentially harmful effects of energy drinks on teens.

The bill, titled An Act to prevent the harmful effects of energy drinks on the health of young people, would ban the sale of energy drinks to those under 16.

The ban would extend to online sales and vending machines. Any person under 16 who breaks the rules would receive a $100 fine.

"The risks associated with their consumption are too often trivialized. Yet, we are facing a real and worrisome public health issue," Health Minister Sonia Bélanger said after tabling the bill.

Calls to ban the sale of energy drinks among youth grew after the death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron, who died in 2024 after drinking a can of Red Bull while on ADHD medication. 

A coroner's report said the combination of his medication and caffeine likely caused an arrhythmia that led to his sudden death.

Miron's parents, David Miron and Veronica Martinez, were at the National Assembly on Friday for the occasion, and met with Premier Christine Fréchette.

Fréchette said that it is "thanks to the resilience you have shown that a bill is being introduced today."

Martinez replied that it was the "right thing to do."

Maïté Blanchette Vézina, the only member of the Conservative party to hold a seat at the legislature, told reporters on Thursday that she does not want to rush legislation that would restrict or ban the sale of the drinks.

"My mother and other people take medicines that interact with grapefruit," said Blanchette Vézina. "Are we going to ban grapefruit? No."

Citing data from the Canadian Beverages Association, a lobby group for beverage manufacturers, Blanchette Vézina said energy drinks only account for 11 per cent of the caffeine consumption of teens.

She added that she is not opposed to a ban but wants to continue debating its merits in the fall, with a general election scheduled to be held by Oct. 5.

Fréchette has said she would try to pass as many bills as possible before the legislature recesses June 12.

But since unanimous support is needed to fast-track the adoption of legislation, Blanchette Vézina has the power to stop the bill.

Québec Solidaire, the Quebec Liberals and the Parti Québécois have voiced their support for legislation to crack down on energy drinks. 

Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said she found the Conservatives’ position to be "heartless" and urged Blanchette Vézina to meet with Miron’s parents. 

The push for a ban on the sale of energy drinks to teenagers also received support from parents, teachers, schools, school boards, public health associations and several junior sports leagues. 

The Familiprix pharmacy chain pulled energy drinks from shelves last month after Quebec’s order of pharmacists voiced its support to restrict the sale of energy drinks to those aged 16 and over.

Montreal-area school bans energy drinks, urges Quebec to limit sales to teens

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