Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, will today call on the State Government to support better community protection from the explosion of caffeinated so called ‘energy’ drinks.

The Democrats’ motion requests the State Government to examine if caffeinated ‘energy’ drinks should be banned for minors, to support stricter labelling for caffeine, and educate the community on the high caffeine levels in energy drinks.

"It is hypocritical for state and federal governments to talk tough on illicit drugs, and go soft on legal drugs in ‘energy’ drinks," says Mr Elliott.

"Whether it be alcohol, nicotine or caffeine, we must take seriously the harm caused by legal drugs in society.

"Research out of the United Kingdom has shown that if the entire population stopped caffeine use we could see a 9 to 14 per cent drop in coronary heart disease, and a 17 to 24 per cent drop in the incidence of stroke.

"Further, American research has shown that children who drink large quantities of caffeinated drinks show dramatic withdrawal symptoms including deterioration in performance and attention, which have a serious impact on school performance.

"The popularity of soft drinks makes children particularly susceptible to caffeine with increasing evidence that caffeine causes health problems and addiction.

"But protecting the community from caffeine goes beyond simply stopping our children from drinking cola drinks.

"The public also needs to know that so-called ‘energy’ drinks are high in caffeine and that there have been moves in Australia to include caffeine in all soft drinks.

"We must consider banning the sale of caffeinated ‘energy’ drinks to minors, and we must improve labelling and education to protect the whole community.

"If adults want to use this legal drug, that is their choice, but it must not be a choice made in ignorance. Neither should they be allowed to unknowingly cause harm to their children."