On October 24, Agence France-Presse reported that lawmakers of the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament had voted for the introduction of a tax on energy drinks.
The tax value will be settled at €1 per liter. The novelty is expected to bring profits up to €60 million to the treasury per year. Meanwhile, the tax has to be approved by the Senate, the upper house of the French parliament.
It is socialist deputy Gerard Bapt who advances the tax idea. However, the Union for a Popular Movement, the opposition right-wing party argues against the tax. They have fears that similar taxes will be also imposed on other consumer goods.
The grounds for implementing such a tax are caused by the policymakers’ concern related to possible health risks as a result of energy drinks consumption. Healthcare specialists presume that highly caffeinated drinks can trigger cardiac arrhythmia and elevated blood pressure among kids and teenagers.
Last year, French lawmakers attempted to impose the tax on energy drinks, but it was declared illegal by the constitutional court.
The government removed some tough restrictions on energy drinks in 2008 giving a permission to sell drinks with taurine content. Different researches show that currently almost 9 million French people use energy drinks.
Potential adverse effects of energy drinks consumption arouse concern not only in France. So, in summer 2013 the American medical association announced intention and suggested ban on advertising energy drinks for people below 18 years old in the U.S.
