In North Ossetia, young people demand to stop selling energy drinks

In North Ossetia, a gathering of young residents of the city of Ardon occurred. The gathering adopted an appeal to local residents, NGOs and businessmen, which urged them to desist from the use of energy drinks and stop selling them. More than 50 persons took part in the discussion of the problem.

The gathering took place in the city House of Culture, and it was attended by activists and local MPs, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

According to the authors of the appeal, it is unacceptable to be guided by considerations of immediate profit, when young people are in question, whose health is adversely affected by energy drinks.

The participants of the gathering have noted that the legislation contains no restrictions on sale of energy drinks. The initiators of the protest action plan to bring to protest the media, people of their age from Ardon and from the entire country.

"According to health professionals, energy, non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages, which initially seem to increase working efficiency and which are presented as means to combat fatigue, in fact, form a relationship to them and can significantly worsen health state," says Murat Dzasokhov, a resident of Ardon.

According to his story, the number of consumers of energy drinks goes up; and the increase of demand by young people is the most alarming signal.

According to Irina Karginova, a resident of Vladikavkaz, to make the struggle with energy drinks more effective, precaution measures among families, relatives and neighbours are also needed.

Let us remind you that yet in April 2011, Konstantin Tanklaev, Chief Doctor of the North-Ossetian Republic's Narcology Dispensary, spoke for the radical measures concerning commercial selling of energy drinks to adolescents.

"Energy drink is an extremely heavy chemical mixture, and for an adolescent body, it is a terrible mix, combining psychostimulants and alcohol. As a result of its using, the vast number of young people gets uncontrollable behaviour and their actions are unpredictable. Energy drink is the basis for addiction to other narcotic drugs," Konstantin Tanklaev believes.

Earlier, in December 2010, the city of Tskhinvali hosted a conference entitled "South Ossetia without drug addiction and alcohol abuse", which announced the need for a ban on the import of energy drinks. The Parliament has prepared a relevant draft law, and in April 2012, South Ossetia introduced a ban on the import of energy drinks.