South Carolina lawmakers consider law banning sale of energy drinks to minors
One year after a Chapin, South Carolina, teen died from drinking too much caffeine, state legislators want to ban the sale of energy drinks to kids under 18.
16-year-old Davis Allen Cripe collapsed at his high school after he drank three highly caffeinated beverages within 40 minutes, according to witnesses. The coroner said the soda, energy drink and latte Cripe drank caused a "caffeine-induced cardiac event,” WRAL reports.
“The way he ingested, it brought on a cardiac event, probably a cardiac arrhythmia, which is basically an ineffective heartbeat, and that’s what caused his ultimate death,” said Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. “It’s not something that was unusual for him to do, and that’s one thing that concerns us.”
The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine, about four to five cups of coffee, per day. A single energy drink can contain up to 300 milligrams of caffeine.
State Rep. Leon Howard told WRAL he wants to treat energy drinks like alcohol. Howard has proposed legislation that would ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. He also wants parents to talk to their children about the dangers of energy drinks.
“We have so many young, innocent people who are not aware,” Howard said.
Howard says he’s hopeful his plan could become state law by next year.