Baku: The consumption of energy drinks has surged in Azerbaijan, particularly among children, raising significant concerns regarding their right to health, according to Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Aliyeva released a statement addressing the widespread issue of energy drink consumption by children.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, monitoring conducted under the Ombudsman's independent monitoring mechanism has revealed that energy drink consumption among children is prevalent, especially in public areas and near educational institutions. The statement highlighted that age restrictions are not being effectively enforced, with age-control mechanisms proving largely ineffective in vending machines, automated sales terminals, and retail outlets.

Despite existing statutory age restrictions on the sale of energy drinks, these products are still easily accessible to children and consumed openly in public spaces, adversely impacting their right to health. The continuation of these practices undermines the constitutional rights of children and hinders their healthy development.

The monitoring and analysis of international practices suggest that Azerbaijan needs to strengthen its legal framework and oversight mechanisms to prevent children's consumption of energy drinks. The statement recommends increasing administrative fines for the sale of energy drinks to children, introducing age-verification mechanisms for sales through vending machines or restricting such sales via these devices, tightening advertising limits, establishing health-risk warnings as a legal requirement, and enhancing public awareness, among other necessary measures.