Quebec health minister tables bill banning energy drink sales to youth under 16

Quebec’s health minister tabled a bill on Friday banning the sale of energy drinks to youth under the age of 16, describing the measure as an “extremely important” step to protect young people’s health.

Sonia Bélanger’s proposed legislation would also force youth to show a piece of ID proving their age in order to buy a drink having caffeine concentration of 150 milligrams per litre or more and containing other ingredients, such as taurine, vitamins or minerals.

“The risks associated with their consumption are too often trivialized,” Bélanger told reporters at the legislature. “Yet, we are facing a real and worrying public health issue.”

Calls to ban the sale of energy drinks to those under 16 years old grew after the death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron, who died in 2024 after drinking a can of Red Bull while on ADHD medication.

Miron’s parents, David Miron and Veronica Martinez, were present at the legislature on Friday, where Premier Christine Fréchette praised their resilience and activism.

“It’s the right thing to do …. We need to put in place safety nets,” Martinez said in response.

A coroner’s report said the combination of Miron’s medication and caffeine likely caused an arrhythmia that led to his sudden death.

One legislature member declined to support the bill, denying it the unanimous approval needed to fast-track it into law before the upcoming fall election.

Maïté Blanchette Vézina, the only member of the Conservative party to hold a seat at the legislature, told reporters Thursday she does not want to rush legislation that would restrict or ban the sale of the drinks.

“My mother and other people take medicines that interact with grapefruit,” said Blanchette Vézina. “Are we going to ban grapefruit? No.”

Citing data from the Canadian Beverage Association, a lobby group for beverage manufacturers, Blanchette Vézina said energy drinks only account for 11 per cent of the caffeine consumption of teens.

She added that she is not opposed to a ban but wants to continue debating its merits in the fall, with a general election scheduled to be held by Oct. 5.

Fréchette has said she would try to pass as many bills as possible before the legislature recesses June 12.

Legislature members from Québec Solidaire, the Quebec Liberals and the Parti Québécois all supported the bill.

Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said she found the Conservatives’ position to be “heartless” and urged Blanchette Vézina to meet with Miron’s parents.

The push for a ban on the sale of energy drinks to teenagers also received support from parents, teachers, schools, school boards, public health associations and several junior sports leagues.

The Familiprix pharmacy chain pulled energy drinks from shelves last month after Quebec’s order of pharmacists voiced its support to restrict the sale of energy drinks to those aged 16 and over.