Margaret Pace Bonello, Gżira
Banned energy drink
Last Friday I was watching Xarabank on TVM. After dealing with two current sensitive problems, the host, Peppi Azzopardi, introduced a third, equally sensitive one: that of the energy drink Cocaine.
To my bafflement Anthony Girard, the person who instigated awareness on this problem, was not on the panel. What's more, his point (which is what makes the sale of this drink to minors dangerous) was totally missed by one and all on the panel.
As far as I remember from his letters to this paper, Mr Girard's grave concern is that, although energy drinks are not intrinsically harmful, they contain a high content of caffeine making them highly addictive. First energy drinks, then alcohol and then...?
Ever since correspondence and articles on this subject started appearing in the media, Mr Girard was only acknowledged by Lino Spiteri who, if my memory serves, shares the same concerns as Mr Girard and endorsed the gentleman's campaign.
Fortunately, the authorities have listened and have taken a step in the right direction by banning the drink until further investigation.
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Karl Consiglio
Dec 17th 2008, 18:39
Once you having a go at caffeine, then we should ban coffee too...and Coke(Coca Cola) which goes by practically the same name as Cocaine too. How would we like that Margaret?
Martin Borg
Dec 17th 2008, 14:48
@ Margaret Pace Bonello,
Unfortunately the ban by the authorities on 'Cocaine Energy Drink' is based on its content and not on the negative message it sends out.
The same thing happened with Red Bull in the past, so one can expect Cocaine to hit the market in a short time.
The real reason why 'Cocaine' should be banned is that it 'normalises' the name of a drug that is a current social problem worldwide, nullifying all efforts by related NGO's to control drug abuse.
I too watched the Xarabank programme in question and frankly was not at all impressed by the drink's importer's attempts to justify his position. His offer to part fund an anti drugs campaign through his profits from the drink's sales was at best pathetic and at worst downright insulting.
lgalea
Dec 17th 2008, 11:08
That's one way to channel the discussion and outcome to predetermined results.
It seems free trade and commerce and money making prevail over ALL other considerations.
Mr Girard is to be recommended and I and many others share his concerns.