On Thursday, Quebec became the first Canadian jurisdiction to regulate energy drinks.
Legislators passed Bill 9, the Act to Prevent the Harmful Effects of Energy Drinks on Youth Health, by a vote of 103 to 1. Only the independent member for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin, voted against it.
Two other independent members, Maïté Blanchette Vézina (Rimouski) and Sona Lakhoyan Olivier (Chomedey), abstained.
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This bill prohibits the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16, or to anyone seeking to purchase them for a youth under 16.
It also explicitly prohibits a youth under 16 from purchasing such drinks for themselves or for others. Youths will be required to present identification to prove they are of the required age.
An energy drink is defined in the legislation as a beverage containing at least 150 mg/L of caffeine and other ingredients, such as taurine, vitamins, or minerals.
The law will take effect in six months to allow the industry and retailers time to adapt. It will also apply to purchases made online and from vending machines.
Inspection and investigation powers are granted to Santé Québec.
Fines of $100 are set for offenders under the age of 16, while fines for retailers could reach $62,500, doubling for repeat offenders.
The Quebec government is introducing this legislation as energy drink consumption among high school students nearly doubled between 2016 and 2023, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Bill 9 is also intended as a response to the heartfelt plea of the parents of Zachary Miron, a young man who died in 2024 at the age of 15 after the Red Bull he had consumed interacted with his ADHD medication.
During the debate on the bill’s passage on Wednesday afternoon, Health Minister Sonia Bélanger thanked the members of the National Assembly for their support.
She also announced the creation of a working group “to support the implementation and evaluation of the law’s effects.”
This working group will consist of representatives from industry and the retail sector, as well as a representative appointed by the provincial health authority, Direction nationale de santé publique, she specified.
It will also be consulted prior to any regulatory changes.
“Quebec is demonstrating leadership by becoming the first Canadian jurisdiction to propose banning the sale of energy drinks to (…) those under 16,” the minister said.
“We believe it’s better to take preventive action when young people’s health is at stake,” she added.
Bélanger made a point of extending special thanks to Zachary’s parents, David Miron and Veronica Martinez, for having “raised real awareness (…) in Quebec.”
“Their determination and courage will help prevent other tragedies,” she said.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
