Trevor Miller
No, I don’t think it’s the city’s job to oversee kids’ energy drink intake; that job falls squarely on us as parents.
While I think it is obvious that teens should not be drinking energy drinks by the caseload as a rule, council is not here to play nanny to our city’s youth.
My kid’s nutrition is my business as a responsible parent, and I don’t need the city getting involved in making sure he eats his vegetables, either.
Trevor Miller is a local writer and essayist.
Doreen Murray
Hapnot Collegiate is to be commended for its efforts to educate students on the dangers of energy drinks. That approach will do more good than trying to ban the drinks from store shelves.
It may be difficult to argue for and against this product, mainly because coffee and tea contain caffeine as well and I don’t believe anyone will stop drinking these staple items anytime soon.
It is easy to be ambivalent about these things, but sometimes the only answer is to use these products in moderation. It is not the best solution but lessens the risk somewhat.
Doreen Murray is a semi-retired Flin Flonner.
Ken Mansell
New York’s Court of Appeals ruled that New York City’s ban on large sugary drinks, which was previously blocked by lower courts, is illegal.
Similarly, it would be almost impossible to ban energy drinks locally without federal or provincial legislation.
I doubt these drinks are much worse than coffee if you are an adult; however, parents should discourage kids from drinking them.
It would seem that if you are too young to drink alcohol, then energy drinks may become a legal choice by default.
Ken Mansell is a retired Flin Flonner.
