According to the legislation, any product with a caffeine content exceeding 15mg/100ml would be classified as an energy drink and thereby prohibited for sale to minors. The Hungarian Energy Drink Association criticizes the proposal as discriminatory, arguing that if caffeine and sugar content are the concerns, actions should also be taken against cola drinks, thereby labeling the motion as discriminatory. Opposition parties accuse the initiative of being a smokescreen for internal party conflicts and a cover for the absence of a comprehensive healthcare strategy.

Four months after announcing a potential ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors, KDNP members Nacsa Lőrinc and Hollik István submitted the bill to the National Assembly in early April. The proposal contains a key statement: "It is forbidden to sell or serve energy drinks defined by the public health product tax law to anyone under the age of eighteen."

By definition, the legislation would cover all current energy drinks on the market, which contain an average of 30mg of caffeine per 100ml, doubling the limit set by the government representatives.

Sándor Csibi, the Secretary-General of the Hungarian Energy Drink Association (MESZ), in response to inquiries, stated their disagreement with the proposal in its current form, highlighting it as discriminatory and employing double standards under the guise of protecting children. He pointed out that a liter of cola contains as much sugar as a liter of energy drink, yet the consumption of cola, heavily advertised as family-friendly, considerably outpaces that of energy drinks and does not receive similar scrutiny. Csibi questions why there isn't a similar protective stance against cola, which contains as much caffeine in one liter as found in a 250ml can of energy drink.

Furthermore, the MESZ maintains that products containing caffeine, including coffee, energy drinks, and cola, are not recommended for children. Csibi also suggests that energy drinks are intended for healthy adults who require quick energy and alertness, accompanied by vitamins.

With the proposed legislation, it's uncertain how energy drink consumption in Hungary would change if the ban for minors is implemented. Csibi speculates that manufacturers might begin producing low-caffeine drinks that could be sold to minors, but points out that without sugar, these would scarcely qualify as energy drinks, potentially misleading consumers.

The proposal does not specify relocating energy drinks to tobacco shops, a move that could have been a possible scenario. However, it's expected that energy drinks will vanish from vending machines, as age cannot be verified in such cases.

The opposition believes that instead of a ban, a comprehensive health strategy is necessary. They highlight the government's inconsistent approach, noting significant support from government funds to energy drink manufacturers while proposing a ban harmful to health. While some parties see merit in the proposal, concerns remain about its effectiveness without proper public education and fear it might spur illegal trading among youth.

As the debate unfolds, responses from various parties emphasize the need for a thorough discussion and consider the proposal a potential acknowledgment of failure to address public health issues effectively or merely a superficial political action lacking in substance and professionalism.