September 18, 2026
Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin is introducing legislation that would make it illegal to sell energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16 in Nova Scotia. The legislation follows similar action in Quebec, where legislation banning the sale of energy drinks to people under 16 was adopted in June.
Energy drinks can contain significant amounts of caffeine that can have harmful impacts on children and young teens. Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, cause headaches, and affect heart rate and blood pressure. Health Canada recommends limiting caffeine intake for children and adolescents based on their body weight and advises that caffeinated energy drinks should not be consumed by children.
“Energy drinks are marketed as a quick boost, but for kids and young teens, the amount of caffeine in a single can can be a lot more than they should be consuming,” said Rankin. “Quebec has recognized this as a public health issue and taken action. Nova Scotia should do the same. This is a simple, practical step we can take to better protect young people.”