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It is proposed to limit the circulation of energy drinks in order to protect the health of persons under 18 years of age, as well as to create legal bases.

The deputies of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Alkhas Ghazaryan, Hakob Arshakyan, Babken Tunyan, Sona Ghazaryan, Arusyak Julhakyan, Arsen Torosyan, Mariam Poghosyan and Hasmik Hakobyan made a legislative initiative and they propose to make addendum to the draft law on Making Addenda to the Law on Trade and Services and to a number of other laws.

According to the key rapporteur Alkhas Ghazaryan, the proposal was made due to considerable public concern regarding the mass use of energy drinks among teenagers.

The deputy underscored that, according to researches, in 2022, the 40% of teenagers consume energy drinks weekly, which can have a negative impact on their health.

According to the main rapporteur, a number of countries have already taken certain steps to limit them. Therefore, the above-mentioned draft law proposes to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to persons under 18 years of age and to limit the possibility of their advertising. The authors propose to apply administrative liability for violating the above-mentioned prohibitions.

Narek Ghahramanyan presented the endorsement of the NA Head Committee. According to the MP, there are popular carbonated drinks that are more popular among teenagers and are no less harmful to their health. Therefore, the co-rapporteur proposed her colleagues also to solve that issue with another regulation.

The RA Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, presented the positive opinion of the Government on the legislative package. According to the Minister, the interest of the health care is preferable for the Government, that is why, they expressed their positive opinion for the draft law.

In their speeches the MPs also emphasized the importance of adopting the draft law.

The issue was debated in the first reading during the NA regular sitting convened on December 3.