PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has banned the consumption, distribution, sale and advertising of all types of energy drinks within public and private educational campuses.
The move aims to further protect student health and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases — especially diabetes — which is rising among students due to habits linked to sugary foods and sweet drinks, especially energy drinks.
On Thursday (Nov 27), education minister Hang Chuon Naron instructed all capital–provincial education departments, district and municipal education offices, and all public and private schools to strictly prohibit the consumption, distribution, sale, and advertising of energy drink products on school grounds.
“Relevant regulations that promote food safety and healthy diets in schools must be strictly enforced, as previously instructed by the ministry. These measures must also be incorporated into internal school rules or codes of conduct regarding the prohibition of consuming, distributing, selling and advertising all types of energy drink products on school premises;” the minister ordered.
In addition, schools must educate students and staff about the guidelines, internal rules and codes of conduct regarding the ban on energy drinks.
Schools should also mobilise students and education personnel to help create signs or awareness materials and widely disseminate information about the health impacts of consuming energy drinks during flag-raising ceremonies, meetings or other school gatherings.
Furthermore, schools must closely monitor all activities related to the consumption, distribution, sale or advertising of energy drinks on school grounds, and take immediate action when violations are found — including stopping consumption or distribution on the spot, removing all energy drink products and terminating sales contracts if such activities are found within school premises.
The minister also instructed schools to cooperate with all relevant institutions and local authorities at all levels to implement this directive, aiming to ensure “energy-drink-free schools.” Schools must also prepare semi-annual and annual reports and submit them to the education ministry.
This directive follows a recent warning from senior Ministry of Health officials that non-communicable diseases — particularly diabetes — can occur at any age.
The ministry has urged citizens aged 40 and above to get screened for diabetes early to ensure timely detection and treatment. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
