- Target:
- UK Government
- Region:
- United Kingdom
There is an increasing concern on the affects that High Energy Drinks have on the body and although these drinks like Monster and Red Bull etc do state that they are not suitable for children, many are purchasing these products.
The majority of adults and children are not aware of the harmful side effects these drinks can cause, heart palpitations, behavioural problems, caffeine addiction, diabetes and in some cases contribute to death under Sudden Death Syndrome.
Adelaide University conducted tests on 30 people and found that just one 250ml can is enough to give someone the same symptoms as someone with heart disease. One 250ml can of Red Bull is equivalent to drinking 8 cups of coffee.
The substance Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally produced by the body, but by drinking energy drinks in large quantities it causes an overdose of this chemical which can cause hallucinations.
The Hampshire Police have raised concerns about these drinks: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13060158
Research has shown that their may be a higher risk of side-effects on young adults and children, which account for a large proportion of non-alcoholic energy drinks sales: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/02/15/3139247.htm
We the undersigned call on the Government to ban the sale of 'high energy' drinks - for instance those beverages that contain caffeine, taurine, vitamins, herbal supplements and sugar or sweeteners and are marketed to improve energy, weight loss, stamina, athletic performance and concentration - to children and believe that the only way to do this is to licence them in line with alcoholic drinks.
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The Licencing of High Energy Drinks to Prevent Sales to Children petition to UK Government was written by Rebecca Rye and is in the category Health at GoPetition.