Doctors in Prince Edward Island want the provincial government to ban the sale of caffeine-laden energy drinks to kids.
Caffeine not only causes behavioural problems in children, said Dr. Bill Scantlebury, the president of the P.E.I. Medical Society. They also pose serious health risks, too.
Many energy drinks contain more caffeine than the recommended daily limit for adults, Scantlebury said.
"We see kids, youth and some athletes drinking two or three of these before an event, believing they're going to get more energy out of it," Scantlebury told CTV.
"But they're really putting themselves at risk for some heart rhythm disturbances and blood pressure issues."
Energy drinks are positioned in stores next to candy in an attempt to attract younger consumers, Scantlebury said.
"It's just like what cigarette companies did years ago. They know if they get them hooked early they'll have them hooked for life."
New Brunswick neurologist, Dr. Greg MacLean, agrees with the idea of an energy drink ban.
In fact, all provinces should establish such a ban, he said.
"I can't think who thinks it's a good idea to give stimulants to children and send them to school," MacLean told CTV. "Certainly, the amount of caffeine in some of these drinks is what we would regard as toxic levels."
This week, the Island's Western School Board will vote on a proposal to ban energy drinks from its schools.
Doctors in P.E.I. will spend the coming weeks researching energy drinks before they decide at what age kids can safely consume them.
With a report from CTV's Dan Viau
