03.07.24
Connecticut lawmakers have introduced a bill (HB 5261) into the state House of Representatives which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16, and require an ID check at the point of purchase to verify age.
The bill, introduced by the Committee on Children on March 5, would set the parameters of what constitutes an energy drink as a soft drink with a certain caffeine content (80 mg per 9 fluid ounces), or additional ingredients like methylxanthines, B vitamins, herbal ingredients, or an “energy blend.”
Violations of the bill would result in a warning for the first offense, a fine of up to $200 for the second offense within 2 years of the first, and a fine of up to $350 for the third or subsequent offense within 2 years of the prior offense.
The bill doesn’t make it illegal for children to drink energy drinks. A parent, guardian, or anyone older than 16 would still be able to buy the drink for someone under the age limit.
Lawmakers are set to adjourn from the current legislative session at midnight on May 8, so the bill would have to be considered by the state’s House and Senate by May 7 in order to pass.
Connecticut isn’t the first state to see proposals to ban the sales of energy drinks to minors, but this is the first state ban proposed in several years.
A bill introduced in Massachusetts in 2015 would have banned the sales of energy drinks to anyone under 18, with similar parameters regarding the penalties and what constitutes an energy drink. Meanwhile, Suffolk County, New York passed a county-wide ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors, and prohibited the sale of energy drinks in county parks in 2013. Kentucky legislators also saw a similar bill introduced in 2010, which was pre-filed by the sponsors ahead of a vote.
The bill, introduced by the Committee on Children on March 5, would set the parameters of what constitutes an energy drink as a soft drink with a certain caffeine content (80 mg per 9 fluid ounces), or additional ingredients like methylxanthines, B vitamins, herbal ingredients, or an “energy blend.”
Violations of the bill would result in a warning for the first offense, a fine of up to $200 for the second offense within 2 years of the first, and a fine of up to $350 for the third or subsequent offense within 2 years of the prior offense.
The bill doesn’t make it illegal for children to drink energy drinks. A parent, guardian, or anyone older than 16 would still be able to buy the drink for someone under the age limit.
Lawmakers are set to adjourn from the current legislative session at midnight on May 8, so the bill would have to be considered by the state’s House and Senate by May 7 in order to pass.
Connecticut isn’t the first state to see proposals to ban the sales of energy drinks to minors, but this is the first state ban proposed in several years.
A bill introduced in Massachusetts in 2015 would have banned the sales of energy drinks to anyone under 18, with similar parameters regarding the penalties and what constitutes an energy drink. Meanwhile, Suffolk County, New York passed a county-wide ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors, and prohibited the sale of energy drinks in county parks in 2013. Kentucky legislators also saw a similar bill introduced in 2010, which was pre-filed by the sponsors ahead of a vote.
