QU\u00c9BEC \u2014 Quebec\u2019s health minister tabled a bill on Friday banning the sale of energy drinks to youth under the age of 16, describing the measure as an “extremely important” step to protect young people’s health.<\/p>\n
QU\u00c9BEC \u2014 Quebec\u2019s health minister tabled a bill on Friday banning the sale of energy drinks to youth under the age of 16, describing the measure as an “extremely important” step to protect young people’s health.<\/p>\n
Sonia B\u00e9langer’s proposed legislation would also force youth to show a piece of ID proving their age in order to buy a drink having caffeine concentration of 150 milligrams per litre or more and containing other ingredients, such as taurine, vitamins or minerals.<\/p>\n
“The risks associated with their consumption are too often trivialized,” B\u00e9langer told reporters at the legislature. “Yet, we are facing a real and worrying public health issue.”<\/p>\n
Calls to ban the sale of energy drinks to those under 16 years old 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.<\/p>\n
Miron’s parents, David Miron and Veronica Martinez, were present at the legislature on Friday, where Premier Christine Fr\u00e9chette praised their resilience and activism.<\/p>\n
“It’s the right thing to do …. We need to put in place safety nets,” Martinez said in response.<\/p>\n
A coroner’s report said the combination of Miron’s medication and caffeine likely caused an arrhythmia that led to his sudden death.<\/p>\n
One legislature member declined to support the bill, denying it the unanimous approval needed to fast-track it into law before the upcoming fall election.<\/p>\n
Ma\u00eft\u00e9 Blanchette V\u00e9zina, the only member of the Conservative party to hold a seat at the legislature, told reporters Thursday she does not want to rush legislation that would restrict or ban the sale of the drinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother and other people take medicines that interact with grapefruit,\u201d said Blanchette V\u00e9zina. \u201cAre we going to ban grapefruit? No.\u201d<\/p>\n
Citing data from the Canadian Beverage Association, a lobby group for beverage manufacturers, Blanchette V\u00e9zina said energy drinks only account for 11 per cent of the caffeine consumption of teens.<\/p>\n
Blanchette V\u00e9zina softened her tone somewhat on Friday afternoon after meeting with Miron’s parents, along with Conservative Leader \u00c9ric Duhaime.<\/p>\n
“It certainly touches my mother’s heart, who knows her son or daughter could go through the same thing,” she said. <\/p>\n
She said she was open to working with the government on a path forward, and expressed hope for a consultation process where health experts could be called to weigh in.<\/p>\n
Fr\u00e9chette has said she would try to pass as many bills as possible before the legislature recesses June 12.<\/p>\n
Legislature members from Qu\u00e9bec Solidaire, the Quebec Liberals and the Parti Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois all supported the bill. <\/p>\n
Qu\u00e9bec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said she found the Conservatives\u2019 position to be \u201cheartless\u201d and urged Blanchette V\u00e9zina to meet with Miron\u2019s parents. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The Familiprix pharmacy chain pulled energy drinks from shelves last month after Quebec\u2019s order of pharmacists voiced its support to restrict the sale of energy drinks to those aged 16 and over.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Beverage Association opposes the measure, which it described Friday as “neither supported nor justified by science.” The lobby group called for a consultation “that draws on the full range of scientific, regulatory, and stakeholder expertise.”<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2026.<\/p>\n
Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n