Canadian Province Bans Sale of Energy Drinks to Children
Quebec becomes the first Canadian province to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors under 16, reigniting debate on the issue.
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The province of Quebec, Canada, approved this week a law that will ban the sale of energy drinks to minors under 16. On June 11, 2026, the province of Quebec, Canada, passed new legislation prohibiting the sale of energy drinks to those under 16. The decision was nearly unanimous: 103 votes to 1. The measure is expected to take effect within six months, i.e., around December 2026, making Quebec the first Canadian territory to establish such a specific restriction. The law directly targets a product that, despite its appearance as a 'turbocharged soda', contains high doses of caffeine and other stimulants. The decision did not come suddenly. It is the result of years of pressure from pediatricians, cardiologists, and public health authorities who had been warning about increasing consumption among adolescents over the past decade. The most symbolic turning point occurred in 2024 with the death of Zachary Miron, a 15-year-old adolescent. He suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia after consuming an energy drink while on ADHD medication. The case gained strong repercussions in Canada and was repeatedly cited in legislative debates throughout 2025 and 2026, accelerating the passage of the law. The central problem, according to experts, is not just occasional consumption but the early normalization of this type of drink. Studies cited by Canadian medical entities indicate that adolescents are more sensitive to caffeine due to lower body weight, still-developing nervous system, and greater cardiovascular vulnerability. The Canadian Paediatric Society has recommended, since consolidated positions over recent years, the complete avoidance of energy drinks by children and adolescents, pointing out risks ranging from insomnia and irritability to increased blood pressure and cardiac events in extreme cases. The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) agrees and warns that there is no proven benefit for this age group and that associated risks exist. According to the SBP, the problem is not just isolated caffeine but the drink's overall composition, which typically includes large amounts of sugar, taurine, guarana, and other stimulant compounds, creating a more intense effect on the body. Among the main risks cited are insomnia, anxiety, irritability, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, decreased school performance, and, in more severe cases, caffeine intoxication. The entity also draws attention to the absence of an international consensus on a completely safe dose for children and adolescents, reinforcing the recommendation for caution. Additionally, pediatricians highlight that energy drink consumption among young people often occurs in conjunction with alcohol, which can mask signs of intoxication and increase risky behaviors, especially when combined with medications or pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the scenario remains virtually unchanged. Even in 2026, there is no national legislation restricting the sale of energy drinks by age group. This means adolescents can freely purchase the product in supermarkets, gas stations, and convenience stores. The Brazilian debate usually appears sporadically, often linked to mixing with alcohol at parties—a practice already well-known and widely warned about by doctors—but rarely advances into a broader discussion about daily consumption among minors. The comparison between the two countries shows two very different ways of dealing with the issue. In Quebec, the rule was more preventive, based on studies and evidence accumulated over the years. In Brazil, this type of product is still treated, in practice, as a common beverage, despite expert warnings. And a central question remains: if alcohol and cigarettes are banned or restricted for minors precisely because of proven health risks, why do beverages with high doses of stimulants—also subject to warnings from health professionals and entities—remain so easily accessible to children and adolescents in Brazil?
