Rosemere pushes province to ban energy drinks for minors
The town council unanimously backed a ban following the 2024 death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron, who consumed an energy drink while taking ADHD medication.
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Rosemere council moved Tuesday to formally urge the Quebec government to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 16, citing growing health risks after the death of a local teenager.
Zachary Miron, 15, a Blainville resident who attended Externat Sacré-Cœur in Rosemere, died in January 2024 after consuming a single can of energy drink while taking ADHD medication. The coroner's report found that caffeine in the beverage interacted fatally with his prescribed medication.
At Tuesday's special meeting, council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the Zachary Miron Movement and formally asked the province to enact legislation before the National Assembly adjourns for summer. Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre said Rosemere has a direct stake: "Zachary attended a school in our municipality. This tragedy affects us directly."
Rosemere also directed municipal staff to prepare bylaws prohibiting energy drink sales at all town-owned sports and recreation facilities, hoping to inspire other municipalities to adopt similar measures. Research has linked excessive energy drink consumption to cardiovascular and neurological effects in young people. Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway have already banned sales to minors. On May 6, members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion highlighting concerns surrounding energy drink consumption among youth.