Qld: Caffeine drink given to children
By Paul Osborne
BRISBANE, April 22 AAP - Energy drink maker Red Bull has come under fire for promotingits product to children.
Gold Coast MP Christine Smith said teams of Red Bull promoters were handing out samplecans of the caffeine drink to children at skateboard parks.
The can carries a label warning pregnant women and children not to drink it.
Ms Smith, a Labor backbencher, said she was concerned the drink was being given tochildren without their parents' permission and without checking their age.
Premier Peter Beattie said today he expected the promoters to be mindful of their obligationnot to target children.
Mr Beattie said Queensland was taking part in a national review of the drinks and supportedtougher measures covering their sale and labelling.
"There is community concern about children being targeted, because they should notbe exposed to stimulants and they may be less tolerant to caffeine," Mr Beattie said.
A spokeswoman for Red Bull said she would be surprised if the drinks were given tochildren, as the cans carried a warning.
But she said she had been unable to verify it with the Gold Coast team.
Concerns were raised last year when Red Bull launched a university-based program tohire "student brand managers".
The company hires high-profile students, such as club and society leaders, to promotethe product.
Victorian authorities were also critical of a pamphlet distributed in universitieswhich said the drink could improve study.
AAP pjo/jhm/de
KEYWORD: REDBULL
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