The Australian Democrats today welcomed a decision by Australian Health Ministers for better labelling on energy drinks but warned that it will do little to reduce the problems associated with caffeine consumption amongst our youth.

"Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but it will do very little to address the rapidly increasing caffeination of the youth diet," Australia Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, said today.

"The decision only addressed the labelling of energy drinks and totally neglected the growing range of caffeine laced foods such as chocolate bars.

"Neither did the decision address the issue of the sale and marketing of high strength caffeinated energy drinks and chocolate bars to our young people.

"My grave concern over today’s decision is not because it is a bad decision, but because it does not go far enough.

"Fortunately after today these energy drinks will be labelled, and these labels will warn that consumption of the drinks, containing caffeine in various forms including guarana, are not suitable for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or people sensitive to caffeine.

"But why have the Ministers ignored the issue of the growth of caffeine in youth diets?

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

"These Ministers are in the perfect position to get tough on the increasing use of these legal drugs in caffeinated drinks and foods but they have missed their opportunity."

UK Research has shown that stopping caffeine consumption in the entire population would lead to 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, US 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.