A group representing Nova Scotia doctors is inching closer to banning people under the legal drinking age from buying energy drinks.
The Canadian Medical Association passed a motion brought forward by Doctors Nova Scotia to ban people under the legal drinking age from buying the popular caffeinated drinks at its annual meeting on Wednesday.
Doctors say energy drinks are associated with increased risk of adverse behavioural and health effects, such as increased heart rate and higher blood pressure.
It’s far from legislation, but the age ban is getting mixed reaction in Nova Scotia.
Jay Duga, 12, said he doesn't drink Red Bull or Monster, but his friends consume them all the time.
“They never really did it in elementary, just cause they saw the older kids drinking them so they probably thought it was cool. I think [an age ban] would stop a lot of people from buying them."
His grandfather, Mike Swann, worries too.
"Every time you look, these kids are drinking four and five. What is it doing to them? Their heart rate, anxiety, anger, it raises all that,” he said.
But students like Becca VanGinkel say they rely on energy drinks to survive exam season.
"Well a lot of people use it for like university and stuff. I know for studying, when I was 18, 19 I really needed it a lot."

Burden on convenience stores

Mitch McIssac, who works at a news and convenience store in Halifax, said about half of the people who buy the drinks are under the age of 19.
"Lots of students coming in to stay awake for exam times, or studying. Or a lot of people on the weekends getting them to keep on partying through the weekend,” he said.
Another convenience store owner said requiring an ID would be a hassle for workers.
“Depending on the customer, some of them get pretty ugly. When they want their stuff, they want their stuff. So it’ll be interesting," said Mike Habib.
McIssac said he's skeptical a ban would change anything.
"It would be the same with tobacco products, they'd figure out a way to get them.

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