The popular beverage that will be restricted in Romania. Those under 18 will no longer be able to buy it
Individuals under 18 will no longer be able to purchase beverages with a high content of caffeine, taurine or other energizing substances.
Parliamentarians from several committees have given the green light to the project that prohibits the sale of energy drinks to minors, and the law will be put to a vote.
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Initiated last autumn, the project is based on analyses by the National Institute of Statistics, which show that 30% of adults and 68% of teenagers consume energy drinks. Among the adolescents identified in the study, 18% are children under ten years old.
Young woman: "Most say it seems fashionable or they like the taste, but they don't realize it's not good for them".
Boys: "It tastes good, gives you an energy boost".
Mother: "I think kids should drink more water. My child doesn't even know about them, and he won't consume them".
Woman: "I think it's time for the Romanian people to wake up and say no, to protect our children".
The document defines energy drinks as composed of alcohol, carbohydrates, vitamins and various combinations of substances, such as caffeine or taurine, which stimulate the nervous system.
Radu Țincu, primary toxicology doctor: "They act on the central nervous system, meaning they act on a brain that has not yet completed its development. In the medium and long term, they can lead to changes in the normal functioning of the brain, and, on the other hand, it has been proven that some of them are addictive".
Beyond the addictions that young people can develop due to the consumption of these beverages, doctors warn that there are cardiovascular conditions they can cause, having the effect of several shots of concentrated coffee combined with a lot of sugar.
The initiator of the project says that the industry of these products has exerted a lot of pressure to block the law.
Alfred Simonis, the initiator of the law: "There was significant pressure; it is well known that the industry resisted. They went to the extent of emphasizing the alleged benefits of these energy drinks in their arguments".
The proposal underwent discussions in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, the legislative body responsible for decisions, and is set for a final vote on February 20. Once promulgated by the head of state, it will promptly take effect.
