Lithuania to ban sale of energy drinks to minors

Lithuania is set to to become the first country in the world to ban the sale energy drinks to minors.

Under new laws, under 18's will not be allowed to buy energy drinks including Red Bull, Monster and others, in an effort to improve health amongst youngsters. Buying energy drinks on behalf of underage customers will also be classed as illegal. The new law comes in to effect next month.

The World Health Organization praised the move by Lithuania and said it hoped for more countries would follow suit.

In 2006, almost 500 new brands of energy drinks were released worldwide. The energy drink industry is booming, with sales of energy drinks estimated to be over $12.5 billion in 2012, an increase of 60% from 2008 to 2012, The Times of India reports. 

In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) commissioned a study to gather consumption data for energy drinks in 16 countries of the European Union. They found that 68% of adolescents (aged 10-18 years old), 30% of adults, and 18% of children consumed energy drinks.

Among adolescents, consumption varied from 48% in Greece to 82% in the Czech Republic. Among children, consumption varied from 6% in Hungary to 40% in the Czech Republic.