Quebec bans energy drinks for under-16s
Bill 9 passed 103-1 Thursday, making Quebec the first Canadian jurisdiction to regulate energy drinks. Sales banned, retailers face fines up to $62,500.
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Quebec became the first Canadian jurisdiction to regulate energy drinks Thursday, passing Bill 9 with a vote of 103 to 1.
The law prohibits the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 16 and bars youth from buying them for themselves or others. Retailers can face fines up to $62,500 for violations; repeat offenders face double. Youth caught purchasing will be fined $100. Energy drinks are defined as beverages containing at least 150 mg/L of caffeine plus other ingredients like taurine, vitamins, or minerals.
The law takes effect in six months to give retailers and industry time to adapt. It covers in-store purchases, online orders, and vending machines. Santé Québec will handle enforcement and investigation.
Energy drink consumption among Quebec high school students nearly doubled between 2016 and 2023, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec. The bill also responds to the death of Zachary Miron, 15, in 2024 after Red Bull he consumed interacted with his ADHD medication. His parents' advocacy helped push the legislation forward.
Health Minister Sonia Bélanger announced a working group to support implementation and evaluate the law's effects, including representatives from industry, retail, and the provincial health authority.
This is the kind of rare unanimous action Quebec tends to take when a kid's death forces the conversation.