Content of a booklet regarding energy drinks, alcohol use and tobacco use for

Content of a Booklet for Adolescents on Energy Drinks, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use

• Introduction: Present clear, age-appropriate definitions of energy drinks, alcohol, and tobacco products, emphasizing their relevance and common use among adolescents and the associated health risks. This section should establish an understanding that these substances are not harmless and require informed decision-making NICE NG209 De Sanctis et al. 2017.
• Health Risks of Energy Drinks: Highlight that energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants, which can lead to adverse effects such as insomnia, stress, depressive mood, cardiovascular symptoms (e.g., tachycardia, arrhythmias), seizures, obesity, and dental enamel erosion NICE NG209 De Sanctis et al. 2017 Nadeem et al. 2021. Educate about risks associated with co-ingestion of energy drinks and alcohol, including increased risk-taking behaviors and impaired perception of intoxication, which can lead to prolonged alcohol use and greater harm NICE NG209 De Sanctis et al. 2017 Park et al. 2025.
• Energy Drinks and Gaming Culture: Explain the relationship between energy drink consumption and gaming, noting that caffeine is often consumed during gaming to enhance alertness and prolong wakefulness, which can exacerbate gaming disorder symptoms and contribute to sleep disturbances Park et al. 2025 Park et al. 2025. Discuss how marketing targets gaming culture and normalizes energy drink use, emphasizing the importance of media literacy in recognizing persuasive advertising Park et al. 2025 Park et al. 2025.
• Health Risks of Alcohol Use: Include information on the increased risk of developing cancers (mouth, throat, breast), accidents, and long-term illnesses with alcohol use from an early age NICE CKS. Advice on reducing alcohol consumption with drink-free days and highlighting the dangers of alcohol mixed with energy drinks should be included NICE CKS De Sanctis et al. 2017.
• Health Risks of Tobacco Use: Provide information about tobacco’s harmful effects, especially vascular complications, and the importance of not initiating smoking during adolescence NICE NG209. Emphasize the social, legal, and economic aspects of tobacco use, including underage sales laws and the need for refusal skills to resist peer and media pressure NICE NG209. Clarify misconceptions about e-cigarettes, explaining why non-smokers should avoid starting their use NICE NG209.
• Prevention Strategies and Behavior Change: Integrate strategies to build decision-making skills, enhance self-esteem, and resist pressure from media, peers, family, and the tobacco industry NICE NG209. Encourage involvement of parents, carers, and trusted adults (e.g., teachers, sports coaches, gaming influencers) who can model and support healthy behaviors NICE NG209 De Sanctis et al. 2017 Park et al. 2025.
• Regulation and Enforcement: Inform adolescents about the legal age restrictions for purchasing tobacco and alcohol products, and the importance of retailer compliance with laws such as age verification NICE NG209. Promote awareness of policies limiting energy drink sales to minors and challenges such as ‘black markets’ that circumvent school bans NICE NG209 De Sanctis et al. 2017.
• Health Literacy and Critical Thinking: Promote health literacy to help adolescents understand caffeine content and health implications in energy drinks and other substances, fostering informed choices and critical appraisal of marketing claims Sukys et al. 2026. Address common misconceptions, such as the belief that energy drinks are similar to sports drinks or safe due to 'zero calorie' claims Sukys et al. 2026 Park et al. 2025.
• Impact on Sleep and Wellbeing: Educate about the negative impact of caffeine and substance use on sleep patterns, quality, and academic performance. Explain the mediating role of caffeine in the relationship between gaming and sleep disturbances and how this combined effect can exacerbate mood and cognitive problems Park et al. 2025 Park et al. 2025.
• Practical Advice and Resources: Provide guidance on how to reduce or avoid energy drink and tobacco use, promote alcohol moderation or abstinence, and offer information sources such as support services (e.g., Talk to Frank website) NICE CKS (NICE CKS). Encourage adolescents to develop self-directed strategies for behavior change, peer support, and information-seeking behavior Park et al. 2025 De Sanctis et al. 2017.

Format and Accessibility: Ensure the booklet is engaging, factual, and interactive, tailored to adolescents’ age, cultural background, and literacy levels, including alternative formats such as pictures, audio, and video where beneficial NICE NG209. Involve young people in the booklet design to enhance relevance and appeal NICE NG209.