Dental problems. Depression. High blood pressure. Inability to focus. Electrolyte disorders. Seizures. Stroke. Insomnia. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these are just a few of the health issues that can result from heavy caffeine consumption in adolescents.

These are also the reasons that bill introduced by State Representative Luis Arroyo to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors has reached its second reading at the State House, according to cspnet.com. Since its introduction, five other state representatives have become cosponsors, including State Representative Laura Fine.

The bill defines energy drinks as “any soft drink with a caffeine level 6 mg or more per ounce”. According to WebMD, an eight ounce can of Monster contains 92 mg of caffeine, and 8.4 ounces of Red Bull contains 83 mg.  These products, as well as several Starbucks drinks and a few soft drinks, would be covered by the bill.

While, according to an Oracle-conducted survey, only five percent of South students regularly consume energy drinks, 73 percent oppose the bill.

“I think it’s a personal decision,” senior Erika Grad said. “I just don’t think they should be sold in schools.”

However, there are still several students who believe it could be beneficial.

“Kids will be better off,” senior Adam Hettinger said. “They are cool in the short term but risky for some in the long term.”

Even though 67 percent of South students never consume energy drinks according to the same survey, an occasional can of Red Bull isn’t uncommon in the South cafeterias. Many students only drink them when they really need the energy, like before big exams or during intense rehearsals or practices.

“[I drink them] when studying or when I need to stay awake,” junior Annelise Potter said. “I know there is a lot of caffeine and sugar, and it makes me jumpy. I don’t think I consume the drinks often enough [for it to be] damaging.”

Additionally, freshman Ivy Zhou regularly consumes energy drinks when she needs to study into the late night.

“I drink them when I have a lot of work […] and need to stay up late, or if I stayed up late the night before and need to stay awake the whole day at school.” Zhou said.