Punjab bans energy drink sales near schools to safeguardcChildren's health: Dr Balbir Singh, Health Minister
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, April 28, 2025: Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has declared that energy drinks are highly harmful to children's health. In a significant move to safeguard students, the Punjab Government has enforced a complete ban on the sale of energy drinks within school premises.
Punjab Imposes Ban on Sale of Energy Drinks Near Schools to Protect Children's Health: Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh
Sharing details during a meeting with officials from various departments in Ferozepur, Dr. Singh stated that the sale of energy drinks will be prohibited within a 50-meter radius of schools in urban areas and a 100-meter radius in rural areas.
He informed that all civil surgeons and district health officers across the state have been officially notified about the ban through formal letters. The Health Department has also issued an advisory appealing to parents not to bring energy drinks into their homes, keeping children's health in mind.
Highlighting the dangers, Dr. Singh explained that energy drinks often lead to an inclination toward substance abuse due to their high caffeine content, which acts as a stimulant. He noted that in recent years, numerous energy drinks have been marketed as energy boosters or dietary supplements, containing high levels of caffeine that adversely affect the human brain and nervous system.
Dr. Singh emphasized that children's easy access to caffeinated beverages is a serious concern. The Punjab Government urges parents to educate their children about the harmful effects of energy drinks and to keep them away from such products.
He also warned that energy drinks can lead to cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, gastrointestinal, digestive, and kidney-related health problems. Furthermore, they are particularly harmful to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
The Health Minister concluded by appealing to the people of Punjab to support the government’s efforts in creating a healthier Punjab and to contribute towards realizing this collective dream.