SHERBROOKE — Proposed legislation to ban the sale of energy drinks to young people under the age of 16 has a fresh chance of being adopted before the end of the sitting of the National Assembly on June 12. In a last-minute development after a week of squabbling, the Quebec Conservatives, who had been blocking the adoption process, managed to obtain a series of hearings into the legislation. In return, the party has agreed to not block the adoption of the bill next week. Quebec
Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime announced the details of the agreement in a social media posting Friday evening. “Our Conservative MNA, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, has managed to obtain consultations from the minister of health on the bill covering energy drinks,” Duhaime wrote. “From now on, the Conservative Party will participate in the hearings, ask questions, propose amendments and, if necessary, let democracy make its way.” Until Friday, the Conservatives were the lone holdouts to fast-track the adoption of the legislation, Bill 9. At an emotional news
conference Friday, representatives of all the parties spoke out in favour of adopting the bill. Also on hand were the parents of Zachary Miron, a 15-year-old boy who died in 2024 after his medications interacted with a can of Red Bull. The bill would make it illegal to sell or give energy drinks to minors. Vendors would ask for photo ID when selling energy drinks, and the beverages would no longer be sold in vending machines or online.
Quebec, energy drinks ban, Bill 9, National Assembly, June 12, Conservatives, Éric Duhaime, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, health minister, Zachary Miron, Red Bull, minors under 16, photo ID requirement, vending machines, online sales
Finally something makes sense.
So they’re just gonna ban it under 16? But like… couldn’t a kid just buy it at the corner store without showing anything? Feels kinda pointless unless cops are watching.
This is about that Red Bull + medication thing right? I saw a headline and thought it was the government banning Red Bull like the whole brand lol. Also who even gives energy drinks to a 15 year old if they’re on meds??
I can’t tell if this is real prevention or just politics. Conservatives were “blocking” and now they’re suddenly helping so the bill can move? And now vendors need photo ID… like teenagers will actually carry ID. Also they said no vending machines and no online, but I feel like kids will still figure it out somehow.