Moscow bans sale of low alcohol energy drinks

Moscow lawmakers have banned the sale of alcoholic energy drinks amid fears for young people’s health.

The Moscow Times reports that last week, Moscow’s city parliament officially prohibited ready-to-drink low alcohol energy drinks, while only adults who present ID will be served non-alcoholic energy drinks. The ban follows two years of negotiations.

The bill reads: “We consider it necessary to prohibit the production and sale of energy drinks in whose composition there is alcohol and caffeine, taking into account the harm done to the health of young people, who are the main consumers.”

Such products will be pulled from supermarket shelves by 1 May, following a number of other Russian territories such as Chechnya, Krasnodar and Altai, which have already implemented the ban.

The law will apply to products that have an alcohol content of between 1.2 and 9% abv, and also contain caffeine or other stimulants.

Individuals found in breach of the law will be fined between 5,000 and 10,000 rubles (US$80-US$160), while companies could be fined 50,000 to 100,000 rubles ($810-$1,600).

In 2013, a British academic voiced his concerns about research into energy drinks and alcohol, which he warned may be downplaying harms.