Finnish health body calls for ban on energy drinks for under-18s

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare urged legislators on Thursday to impose an outright ban on energy drink sales to consumers under 18, citing research indicating that nearly 70% of adolescents regularly consume the caffeinated beverages.

Widespread use among youth

Public health officials in Helsinki revealed that approximately seven in 10 individuals aged 12 to 20 consume energy drinks at least occasionally, with many reporting physical reliance on the beverages to maintain alertness during school hours. Research director Sari Niinisto noted that adolescents frequently cite combating fatigue as their primary motivation, though the stimulant effects often create cycles of exhaustion.

Health and nutritional concerns

"High consumption, especially in the evening, can have the opposite effect — it can worsen sleep and increase tiredness," Niinisto said in a statement. The institute also expressed alarm that growing numbers of teenagers are substituting breakfast and school lunches with energy drinks, a dietary shift Niinisto warned can severely compromise long-term concentration.