SC Lawmakers Considering Energy Drink Ban For Anyone Under 18

FORT MILL, SC – Should kids be banned from having energy drinks? South Carolina lawmakers are considering a plan to make it illegal for anyone under 18 to get their hands on them.

“A lot of our kids want that. They think it’s going to help with their performance. And they take that and they’re not really aware of all the consequences,” says Fort Mill resident Denise Tuberville.

Under the current House bill, anyone under 18 couldn’t buy an energy drink, and adults who provide them to those underage could face a fine of at least $50.

Lawmakers are taking action after a 16-year-old collapsed in his Chapin, South Carolina classroom a year ago and later died.

The otherwise healthy teen drank an energy drink, a cafe latte, and a large diet soda, all within two hours.

“I don’t think that they are aware of the inherent dangers of caffeine consumption,” explains Dr. Terry Strother-Dixon.

She says teens and adults may pick up an energy drink, not realizing they’ve already had a lot of soda or coffee.

“They’re not thinking of the combinations,” she says.

York County Representative John Richard C. King is one of the bill’s sponsors.

“I think the first stage in doing this is protecting our youth,” King says.

Many of the labels say “Not intended for under 18,” or “Not recommended for children,” but in small print.

“We have to be very vigilant about what is going on with our children, educating them on what can potentially happen with drinking those energy drinks,” King says.