COMMERCIAL LAW | LITHUANIA

A law banning the sale of energy drinks to minors came into force in Lithuania on 1st November 2014. According to the Lithuanian government officials, Lithuania was the first country in the world to introduce such restrictions.

The law was adopted back in May, when the Lithuanian Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the ban. Such strict action was justified by concerns that a high concentration of caffeine present in energy drinks could lead to addiction and hyperactivity among adolescents, who were, according to certain studies, the targeted group for sale of energy drinks. Namely, a study commissioned in 2013 by the European Food Safety Authority found that adolescents were by far more prone to consume energy drinks than adults, with 68% of European youths aged 10 to 18 years old drinking them. Numerous other studies also pointed out the risks the minors are exposed to when consuming energy drinks.

The new law prohibits direct sales of energy drinks to minors, as well as buying such drinks for minors. Sellers are faced with a fine of up to 400 litas (cca 115 euros), while the buyers themselves would have to pay up to 200 litas (cca 67 euros), if caught.

The ban applies to non-alcoholic beverages that contain more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter, as well as to drinks containing certain other stimulants.