The City of Ottawa has approved a policy that bans selling energy drinks in community recreation centres.
This means the city will ask Coca-Cola to stop stocking vending machines in Centretown facilities, such as Jack Purcell Community Centre or McNabb Recreation Centre.
This decision comes after the Canadian Medical Association called on the provincial government to pass new laws preventing minors from consuming energy drinks.
“There is research that indicates that too much caffeine can result in nausea and vomiting and/or heart irregularities and anxiety,” the CMA motion, passed in August, said.
Capital Ward Coun. David Chernushenko, a member of the health board, says the CMA report helped to draw the city’s attention to the issue, providing clear evidence to back up the ban.
“You could say it is due to concerns about the impact on people’s health, as well as the disconnect between people drinking unhealthy beverages while, before or just after engaging in healthy physical activity,” he says.
Chernushenko says although the city is discouraging consuming energy drinks across the board, they are especially concerned about youth.
“The impact of these drinks on smaller and growing bodies and brains is greatest, so we feel a special obligation to protect the health of young people, who might also be more susceptible to marketing pressures,” he says.
The sale of energy drinks is prominent in athletic facilities Chernushenko says, because of energy drinks’ effects on health, and the fact recreation centres are city-controlled spaces, the city felt it was important to make this decision.
Carleton University student Tyson Hinz, a member of school’s varsity basketball team, has played at the McNabb Recreation Centre.
He says he understands the appeal of energy drinks and that during his first two years of university, he would use them almost daily to be able to balance all of his responsibilities.
Now he says he’s against them.
“I know they’re not the best for you. I know there’s stuff in them that I don’t think you’re body should be having,” Hinz says.
He says there are better alternatives for your body.
“I’ve found a glass of cold water always helps when you’re tired rather than putting those chemicals in your body,” he says.
Although Hinz sees the city’s reasoning for banning energy drinks in recreation centres, he thinks people should have the choice if they want to drink them.
“It’s not like everything in this world is healthy. They’re not going to start banning McDonald’s,” Hinz says.
He says if you take the option away, people who want energy drinks will find an alternative.
“But maybe people won’t miss them if they’re not there.”
Coun. Stephen Blais says the removal of energy drinks will take place throughout December.