State Rep. Laura Fine Wants to Ban Energy Drink Sales to Kids

carrie February 16, 2013 at 01:26 pm

I think government intervention is getting out of control. Let parents be parents and let them govern their children.

Sully February 16, 2013 at 01:50 pm

That would be fine Carrie, as long as these energy drinks put a disclaimer on the bottles stating that their product contains health risks and in some instances can cause death. This should be stated in their commercials as well.

Eric Lieberman February 16, 2013 at 01:51 pm

Opponents of the legislation say that the most dangerous ingredients and additives in the food supply continue to be ignored by most of the government and find regulating caffeine as going too far. Aspartame, a substance proven to cause gastrointestinal, neurologic and psychological problems continues to be added to thousands of products. Despite independent long-term tests on the effects of genetically modified corn on rats producing massive tumors and organ damage, the USDA still only conducts 90-day tests and denies any danger. The chemical preservative tBHQ, tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product found in ‘Silly Putty’ is still in McDonalds McNuggets.

Sully February 16, 2013 at 02:31 pm

Are the opponents medical researchers? Would you want your kids living on McNuggets even though they are said to be fine, are you really sure modified food products are as safe as "they" say? Aren't the USDA and the FDA government agencies? You trust them, but not any other form of government?

Deadcatbounce February 16, 2013 at 03:10 pm

Another nanny politician. Her idol must be Bloomberg. What's next styrofoam cups? Why doesn't miss fine worry about the state's financial mess rather than worry about our caffeine intake

chris February 16, 2013 at 05:12 pm

This is the kind of nonsense that politicians come up with as a smoke screen when they can't do anything about real problems.
Most cities and towns have a deficit of police personel which is why (despite strict gun control) Chicago is a killing field. Who is going to enforce this ban? I grew up in Chicago, and work in some of the roughest districts there. You might be shocked to see beer and cigarettes being sold to minors with public aid (LINK) cards. Not only that, the "exchange rate" is 2 for 1. Two dollars rung up as "groceries" for a single dollar used to purchase prohibited items. There are open outcry trading pits like a street version of The Chicago Mercantile Exchange where (typically at a gas station) where a guy with a yet to be reported stolen credit card will exchange cash for gas rung up on the stolen card. People can get $30.00 worth of gas for $20.00 cash. But please don't take my word for it, or anyone elses. Go see for yourselves.

LisaJoinPatch February 16, 2013 at 08:40 pm

Yes Eric. It is all a matter of who holds the purse strings on the legislators. Meat industry now uses up 4/5 of our antibiotics so when we humans will need it to fight disease there will be a shortage (not to mention the fact that consuming this meat helps create antibiotic resistance) See here: http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/02/meat-industry-still-gorging-antibiotics
Aspartame and the soft-drink industry has big money so that won't be banned anytime soon either.

Jim February 16, 2013 at 10:38 pm

1. The same folks who decide FDA drug approval are networked with the researchers who do the clinical trials. Biostatistics are not absolute nor evidence of proof of anything. Don't believe me? Take a biostat course and see for yourself.
2. USDA can only do so much because of the need to maintain a worldwide distribution system requiring food stability, etc. best to read labels carefully, cook, learn something about food chemistry. 3. Going back to subsistence farming with 300,000,000 Americans might be problematic. 4. Anyone heard about aquaponics? Very interesting organic farming method which produces veggies and fish without chemicals, fertilizer or pollution. There is a moderate sized operation somewhere in Illinois.

Reubear February 17, 2013 at 03:55 am

I think these drinks should be banned altogether, but at least adults should know how to control better than kids. A lot of my friends have stopped drinking energy drinks.
I wish parents took more control of what there kids eat and drink.. Kids have found a new way to become anorexic, Just take the wonder diet pill Dr.Oz is promoting. I know this because of Facebook and one of adopted nephews friends almost died for taking the pill Dr.Oz recommended.. Thank heavens my nephew didn't listen to his friend, he learned after trying anorexia the old fashion way!!

Procrustes' Foil February 17, 2013 at 10:00 am

Chris, I, too, grew up in Chicago and worked for a time as a Public Aid caseworker and,later, as a welfare fraud investigator. Like you, I worked in the worst parts of town. (Remember south-side housing projects?) Everything you say is true. I witnessed these same activities. And worse, much worse. Yes, money needs to be spent on policing and child protection.

CK February 17, 2013 at 05:29 pm

She should pass these cans out to her fellow legislators who never have enough energy to lower our taxes, just jump from desk to desk on the floor of the House waiting for their Master's (Madigan) voice to tell them what to do. DUMP THESE CLOWNS!

Jx5 February 23, 2013 at 02:17 pm

She is doing that as well. It just isn't as quick a fix.