Racing hearts, anxiety and high blood pressure are among the symptoms that can come from consuming energy drinks, says the P.E.I. Medical Society, and it wants stronger controls.

'I cannot see how any company can say that is not directed at youth.'— MLA Cynthia Dunsford

Society president Dr. Bill Scantlebury told the legislature's committee on social development Thursday that he's seeing people with a wide range of symptoms both in his practice and in the emergency room. He said it's a particular worry in kids.

"It's the youth that are more susceptible to the marketing, and they don't listen to the education as much as an adult should," Scantlebury told the committee.

"When the maturity's not there enough in a 12-year-old, they don't understand what caffeine is probably, and they're not going to understand necessarily the risks. Young people just don't worry about their health."

The medical society wants the province to ban the sale of energy drinks to kids, and Scantlebury found some support amongst MLAs on the committee.

"I think greed has surpassed good common sense here, and safety," said Progressive Conservative MLA Mike Currie.

A place in the market

Liberal MLA Cynthia Dunsford went after the industry's claims that it is not marketing to youth.

"When you look at this advertisement that the last group presented, with a young person on a skateboard surrounded by a Wii, energy drinks and all this ... that is directed at youth. I cannot see how any company can say that is not directed at youth," said Dunsford.

'For my children I would certainly be monitoring what they were doing.'— Anthony van Heyningen

Anthony van Heyningen executive director of Refreshments Canada, an industry group representing soft drink companies, including Coca Cola and Pepsi, defended the products. He said they are safe if used according to directions on the label.

"They have a place within the market place; they are not targeted towards children," van Heyningen told the committee.

"I would suggest there may be a role for parents to assist in monitoring their intake. I know for my children, I would certainly be monitoring what they were doing."

Refreshments Canada says the market focus for energy drinks is adults in their early 20s.