The nanny staters are on the warpath once again, this time in Quebec.
Last month, Quebec’s National Assembly fast-tracked a bill into law that banned the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16.
The government of Premier Christine Fréchette stated that the motivation for the law was in response to the death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron in January 2024. He died on a school trip after consuming a Red Bull energy drink while also taking prescription ADHD medication.
Understandably, Miron’s parents were stricken with grief and have since become advocates for restricting youth access to energy drinks.
But it’s not energy drinks that killed Miron. According to the coroner, Miron died because the caffeine in the Red Bull he drank interacted with his ADHD medication. Doctors have warned that caffeine can magnify the impact of stimulant drugs, which is precisely what ADHD medication is.
Instead of better educating the public about the need to be cautious when consuming caffeine and taking stimulants at the same time, the Quebec government has turned to an outright ban on selling energy drinks to kids under 16.
