Quebec has become the first province in Canada to restrict the purchase of caffeinated energy drinks for people younger than 16.
Legislators enacted Bill 9—the Act to Prevent the Harmful Effects of Energy Drinks on Young People—by a decisive vote of 103 in favour and 1 against in the National Assembly on June 11.
The independent representative for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin, was the lone dissenting voice. Two other independent members, Rimouski MNA Maïté Blanchette Vézina and Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, abstained from the vote.
The legislation forbids the sale of energy drinks to individuals 15 and younger, as well as to those attempting to buy them for someone in that age range. An energy drink is defined as a beverage with a caffeine concentration of 150 mg/L or more, alongside other additives like taurine, vitamins, or minerals, according to the bill….