Salta Council debates ban on energy drink sales to minors

The Salta City Council is evaluating a legislative proposal to prohibit the sale and distribution of energy drinks to minors under the age of 18. The initiative, introduced by Councilman José García, was recently debated in a plenary session involving health, security, and youth policy experts.

Luis Cataldi, president of the Salta branch of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics, warned that consumption in minors can lead to insomnia, anxiety, irritability, headaches, and cardiovascular risks such as tachycardia and increased blood pressure. Additionally, representatives from the Provincial Youth Agency noted that over half of the country's adolescents report sleep disorders.

While the initiative has support from health professionals, municipal officials raised concerns regarding operational difficulties. Joaquín López Viñals, director of Commercial Control, noted the complexity of enforcement and cautioned against creating excessive bureaucracy, suggesting that the measure should be paired with awareness campaigns to change consumer behavior.