The Town of Rosemere is calling on the Quebec government to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors under the age of 16, citing growing concerns about their health risks following the death of a local teenager.
At a special council meeting Tuesday, Rosemere council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the Zachary Miron Movement and formally urging the province to enact legislation banning the sale of energy drinks to young people before the National Assembly adjourns for the summer.
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The initiative comes more than two years after the death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron, a Blainville resident who attended Externat Sacré-Cœur in Rosemere. Zachary died during a school outing in January 2024 after consuming a single can of an energy drink while taking medication for ADHD.
According to the coroner’s report, the caffeine in the beverage interacted fatally with his prescribed medication.
Zachary’s father, David Miron, attended Tuesday’s meeting and thanked Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre and council members for taking action.
“Zachary attended a school in our municipality. This tragedy affects us directly,” Pitre said. “Parents and young people must be informed of these risks as quickly as possible, we cannot wait for the government to legislate before taking concrete action.”
In addition to calling for provincial legislation, Rosemere council directed municipal staff to prepare bylaw measures that would prohibit the sale of energy drinks at all town-owned sports and recreation facilities.
The municipality says the move is intended to protect young people who regularly use its facilities while encouraging other communities to adopt similar measures.
“Municipalities have a role to play,” Pitre said. “We have a responsibility to protect the young people who use our facilities. This is a concrete action, and we hope to inspire other municipalities to do the same.”
The resolution builds on momentum already underway at the provincial level. On May 6, members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion highlighting concerns surrounding energy drink consumption among youth.
Advocates argue that the dangers extend beyond interactions with ADHD medications. Research has linked excessive energy drink consumption to a range of health concerns in young people, including cardiovascular and neurological effects. Several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and Norway, have already banned the sale of energy drinks to minors.
The Zachary Miron Movement, founded by David Miron and Veronica Martinez after their son’s death, has brought together organizations from Quebec’s education, sports, medical and labour sectors in support of a province-wide ban for those under 16.
The group has also met with Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé as it continues to push for legislative action.
