Croatia bans energy drinks for minors and empowers towns to curb night alcohol sales

The Croatian Parliament approved amendments to the Trade Law that prohibit the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 18 years old and give municipalities the authority to ban alcohol sales after 21:00. Retailers must now verify customers' ages at the point of sale, including self‑service kiosks, and online sellers must use the e‑Građani system for age checks.

SDP deputy Sabina Glasovac hailed the change after an eight‑year push, saying Croatia will join other EU states that restrict energy‑drink sales to youth. State secretary Ivan Rakocija stressed the measures aim to prevent health harms from both energy drinks and alcohol, noting that Croatian teens rank among the highest in Europe for alcohol consumption.

Opposition figures warned that outright bans may merely shift the problem, with HSLS MP Dario Klasić and IDS MP Anteo Milos calling for broader education, monitoring and advertising controls. The proposals were first championed by the city of Split and are now being considered by other local authorities.