Swedish ban on sale of Red Bull to young

Published on Tuesday 15 September 2009 22:03

TWO major retail chains in Sweden have decided to ban the sale of the energy drink Red Bull to children under 15.

The ban came after schools warned of pupils become hyperactive and "addicted" to the drink which has achieved cult status. Store chains Pressbyrn and Seven Eleven said they decided to act following talks with school administrators.

"The age-limit applies to all the energy drinks we offer. We think it's important young people don't suffer from addiction because we sell the drinks," said Pressbyrn's head of marketing, Mariette Kristenson.

Earlier this year some German states banned the drink claiming minute traces of cocaine had been found. Doctors in Sweden last year issued warnings after several deaths involving energy drinks taken with alcohol.

Staffan Sparring, chief physician at a Swedish addiction centre, said: "Energy drinks can be seen as a gateway to alcohol."