French lawmakers have recommended banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s following a parliamentary inquiry into the growing health risks facing children and teenagers.
The proposal was published in a provisional report on Wednesday, October 7, by a parliamentary fact-finding mission co-led by Socialist deputy Sandrine Runel and Les Républicains deputy Yannick Neuder, a former French health minister. Fact-finding missions in the French National Assembly allow deputies from opposing political parties to examine urgent public health issues and recommend legislative action.
Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages formulated with high concentrations of caffeine, taurine, and sugar, marketed as quick remedies for fatigue. They are typically sold in brightly coloured cans with aggressive promotion aimed at younger demographics. While consumption of energy drinks is expanding globally, demand in France has grown rapidly, rising by 12 percent in 2024 to set a record growth rate within the country's soft drinks market.
Health warnings and vending machine bans
Although the parliamentary report noted that energy drinks do not present health risks to the general population when consumed in moderation, lawmakers warned that current consumption patterns in France are overall excessive. The rapporteurs emphasized that heavy intake by children and adolescents can lead to serious physical and psychological side effects.
Medical issues already reported in France include cardiovascular symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythms, as well as psychological distress including anxiety and sleep disruption. According to the report, these adverse health effects are primarily caused by high doses of caffeine, particularly when energy drinks are consumed alongside alcohol.
Alongside the proposed ban on sales to minors under 16, the mission recommended removing energy drinks entirely from automated vending machines in schools and public facilities. Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Ms Runel explained that the goal was educational, aiming to inform young people that they do not need sugary, caffeinated drinks to stay active or fight fatigue.
Targeting pre-mixed alcoholic cocktails
The parliamentary report also focused on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, pointing specifically to products such as canned Vody cocktails, which combine vodka, coffee, and taurine. Lawmakers cautioned that these pre-mixed drinks pose significant health hazards because their low prices and sweet flavour profiles make them especially appealing to teenagers.
Ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktails combine strong spirits with sweet flavourings or energy drink stimulants to mask the taste of alcohol. Products like Vody are sold in convenient single-serve cans, making them easily accessible and popular among young consumers.
To discourage youth consumption, the two deputies proposed extending France's premix tax to cover all ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 12 percent. France first introduced its dedicated premix tax in the late 1990s to combat the rise of sweet alcoholic beverages marketed to adolescents, imposing heavy duties on pre-packaged alcohol mixtures.
Stricter sales checks and advertising bans
The report also criticized the weak enforcement of existing age restrictions on alcohol sales across France. Lawmakers stated that the prohibition on selling alcohol to minors is currently poorly applied or ignored by many retailers. To address the problem, the panel recommended carrying out mystery shopping test purchases to monitor retailer compliance and enforce existing laws.
Advertising rules were another key focus of the inquiry. The rapporteurs warned that France's current regulations on alcohol promotion no longer reflect modern media habits, particularly on digital platforms. The report called for an immediate end to legal authorizations that allow alcohol advertising on online communication services and social media networks.
The findings of the parliamentary mission are expected to shape upcoming legislative debates in the French parliament. Members of the panel plan to introduce their recommendations as formal amendments to France's 2027 Social Security budget bill, as well as incorporating the proposals into a dedicated standalone bill.
