Portugal’s public health agency is considering banning the sale of energy drinks to minors, at a time when the issue is being discussed in several European countries.
The news was reported in the weekly Expresso and confirmed by Euronews.
Portugal’s General Directorate of Health (DGS), a branch of the health ministry focused on health promotion, told Euronews that in addition to banning advertising aimed at people under 16, there will also be a ban on the sale of these drinks in public schools.
However, the agency believes that these actions can still be supplemented in order to protect the health of young people.
The DGS noted the UK government’s proposal to restrict the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, saying the measure could be implemented in other countries – just as taxes on sugary drinks have been rolled out.
“In Portugal, we are paying attention to the impact that this measure will have in the United Kingdom and on other scientific issues and, if it proves to have an impact, we will make a proposal to that effect,” the DGS said.
In Portugal there is no restriction on the sale of energy drinks to minors, but this discussion is already taking place in several countries, such as Spain, Germany, Slovenia and Hungary. In Norway, a ban on sales to people under 16 begins in January.