Report on caffeinated alcoholic beverages calls for more guidelines and warnings to young adults and parents
– Consumption ofcontinues to rise in Canada, despite
explicit warnings about health and safety risks from Health Canada, provincial health ministries and even
(CARBC) at the University of Victoria is the first of its kind in Canada to
examine consumption trends and risks, and comprehensively review existing policies for caffeinated
“The increasing use of caffeinated alcoholic beverages has meant significant health risks, particularly
among young people,” says co-author Kristina Brache, who is with CARBC. “This issue warrants urgent
attention from policymakers, educators and researchers — in particular focusing on the ways some
consumers mix their own high-alcohol and high-caffeine drinks.”
“Our report provides information to help Canadians better understand the risks associated with
combining alcohol and caffeine,” said Gerald Thomas, co-author and Senior Research and Policy Analyst
for CCSA. “Our report also includes policy, regulatory and public awareness recommendations designed
to address the risks and harm that can come from drinking caffeinated alcoholic beverages of all types.
Young adults should be a major focus of our efforts as they are the biggest consumers of these
Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages in Canada: Prevalence of Use, Risks and Recommended Policy
, by Kristina Brache and Tim Stockwell of CARBC, and Gerald Thomas of CCSA, includes the
• Analysis of sales of premixed caffeine and alcohol drinks in seven provinces and the first national
• In-depth review of the current policy and regulatory environment.
• Informed recommendations targeted at policy makers, health organizations and researchers.
In addition to the full report, ais available on the CCSA website.
Young adults—the biggest consumers—at greatest risk
Caffeinated alcoholic beverages are drinks that contain a mixture of alcohol and caffeine. They are
currently available in two forms: pre-mixed by manufacturers or hand-mixed by consumers. Sales of
premixed alcohol energy drinks in Canada increased 296% between April 2005 and April 2010. Young
adults in Canada consume these drinks at levels four times higher than the general public.
Emerging evidence, covered in the full report, suggests that drinking alcohol and caffeine can be more
dangerous than drinking only alcohol, because caffeine is a stimulant that can make people think they
are less intoxicated than they really are. This can also lead to longer and more active drinking sessions
and higher alcohol consumption. Drinking caffeinated alcoholic beverages increases the risk of
• being sexually assaulted or sexually assaulting someone;
• driving drunk or getting a ride from a driver who is drunk;
• getting more drunk than realized; or
To educate parents and young adults, CCSA and CARBC have develope