A decision by the Government to delay a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-18s for a public consultation is puzzling, a spokesperson for the Irish Heart Foundation has said.
IHF Director of Advocacy and Patient Support Chris Macey said this has been an item of discussion for several years.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said he is "really puzzled" by the delay.
"There was Government research six years ago highlighting that we've got among the highest consumption of energy drinks in western Europe. There is plenty of evidence out there on the health harms, some retail chains have even voluntarily restricted sales to children.
"And the Government parties were concerned enough about this issue to include it in the Programme for Government," he said.
The legislation, which was introduced by Independent Senator Sharon Keogan, is currently before the Seanad.
It defines a stimulant drink as a non-alcoholic beverage for human consumption, which contains more than 80 milligrams of caffeine per litre.
The ban on the sale and promotion of these drinks would not cover tea and coffee.
The Government agreed to table what is called a timed amendment, which will pause any ban for at least 18 months.
Mr Macey said that there are a lot of different reviews and research studies showing that energy drinks are harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people, as well as their behaviour and education.
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"Studies have found consumption is associated with various serious adverse effects like seizures, cardiac abnormalities, behavioural disorders, headaches, stomach aches, tiredness, fatigue. And then excess sugar consumption is associated with tooth decay, diabetes and obesity, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke and some common cancers."
Mr Macey added that the Irish Heart Foundation does a lot of work in schools on areas like nutrition and physical education.
"Teachers have repeatedly highlighted with those that children are consuming energy drinks as breakfast replacements, that they're affecting pupils' mood, well-being, behaviour [and] that there's disruption to classes.
"Teachers have also said that pupils are consuming these drinks, both in large quantities and that the age group consuming them is getting lower and lower."
He said the foundation's youth advisory panel has advised that it should seek restrictions on energy drinks.
Several EU countries have already restricted the sale of energy drinks, Mr Macey said, including Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania.
The UK government has promised to ban sales to under 16s.
