Mother to Alcorn Co: ban caffeine pill sales to kids, teens
CORINTH, Miss. (AP) – A woman whose 17-year-old son died after taking caffeine pills has asked the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors to ban sales of caffeine pills and powders to children and teens under age 18.
The Daily Corinthian reports that Jennifer Westmoreland of Water Valley told the board that 14 other counties have adopted such ordinances at her request. She says they call for essentially the enforcement imposed on cigarettes.
Westmoreland told the board that her son Noah took pills claimed to contain 200 milligrams of caffeine, but tests found up to 265 milligrams.
A cup of coffee holds about 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine.
According to a 2005 article in Forensic Science International, fatal overdoses typically require more than 5 grams of caffeine.
The board took a copy of Lafayette County’s ordinance under advisement for further review.
