95% of NSW pubs sell energy drinks on tap

It is rare that the NSW Government and Opposition agree to tackle an issue together. However both parties agree that selling energy drinks ‘on tap’ in pubs is not in the interests of public health and safety.

When mixed with alcohol, energy drinks can lead to anti-social behaviour including increased risky behaviour, outburst of violence and sexual assaults.

Health minister Carmel Tebbutt said “I will refer this matter to the NSW Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Alcohol and we will also work with the Federal Government to explore what other action can be taken to regulate the sale of unlabelled energy drinks in hotels across Australia.”

“I am very concerned about the reported health impacts of mixing high energy drinks with alcohol and the impact this has on people’s ability to function and the risk of alcohol related harm.”

A recent US study published in the medical journal Addictive Behaviors, found that teenagers who drink alcohol mixed with energy drinks are:

  • 3 times more likely to become highly drunk, and
  • 4 times more likely to engage in drink-driving than those who only drink alcohol.

NSW Health spokesman Jason Donohoe said “Studies on the effects of consumption of energy drinks in combination with alcohol find that users may experience reduced perceptions of alcohol impairment.”

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) federal vice-president, Dr Steve Hambleton said: “This is horrifying. In Canada, the health warnings on energy drinks say max one drink per day.”

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha
Source: The Sunday Telegraph