Can I buy Monster under 18? A Guide to Legal Age Restrictions and Health Risks

November 16, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, adolescents should limit daily caffeine, but there is no federal law preventing someone who is under 18 from buying Monster or other energy drinks in the United States. The regulations governing energy drink sales are a patchwork of voluntary retailer policies, local laws, and common-sense health recommendations.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the legal status, varying retailer policies, and health implications for teens purchasing Monster Energy drinks. It covers US federal vs. local rules, voluntary age checks, and international restrictions.

Key Points

No Federal Law: In the US, there is no federal law preventing minors from buying energy drinks like Monster.
Local Laws Vary: Some counties or states, such as Suffolk County, NY, have specific local bans on sales to minors.
Retailer Policies: Many major stores enforce their own age restrictions, often requiring ID from anyone appearing to be under 25.
Significant Health Risks: High caffeine and sugar content can cause serious health issues for adolescents, including heart problems, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
Global Restrictions: Other countries, including Poland and Lithuania, have legally banned the sale of energy drinks to minors under 18.
Company Demographics: Monster Energy’s website targets consumers aged 18-35 and requires users to be at least 18 for full community participation.

Can Minors Legally Purchase Monster in the US?

In the United States, there is no federal law that prohibits the sale of energy drinks like Monster to minors. This means that federal law does not impose a legal age restriction on purchasing energy drinks. The regulations that do exist are primarily local or voluntary.

The Impact of Local and State Laws

Although no federal ban exists, some local jurisdictions have implemented their own restrictions. For example, Suffolk County, New York, has a local law that prohibits selling energy drinks to individuals under 18. Similar efforts have been seen in other states, where lawmakers have proposed restrictions. These local regulations are key in determining if a minor can legally purchase a Monster in a specific area.

Voluntary Retailer Policies

Many retailers, particularly larger chains, have adopted voluntary 'Check 25' or 'No ID, No Sale' policies for energy drink purchases. These policies require employees to request identification from customers who appear under a certain age when buying energy drinks. While not legally mandated everywhere, these store-specific rules can prevent minors from purchasing the drinks.

Health Risks of Energy Drinks for Teenagers

Health professionals advise against energy drink consumption for children and adolescents due to potential health risks from high caffeine and sugar levels. A single 16oz can of Monster Energy contains more caffeine than the 100mg daily limit recommended for adolescents aged 12-18.

Key health risks for minors include:

Cardiovascular Issues: Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Neurological Effects: Anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.
Dental Problems: Increased risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Metabolic Issues: Contribution to weight gain and the risk of diabetes.
Sleep Disturbances: Negative impact on sleep patterns, learning, and memory.
Withdrawal Symptoms: Potential for headaches and fatigue if caffeine intake is stopped.

International Approaches to Energy Drink Sales

Unlike the US, many countries have national age restrictions on energy drink sales. This table compares approaches:


Country/Region	Age Restriction	Type of Restriction	Enforcement	Source
United States	Varies by locality	No federal law; some local bans	Inconsistent
United Kingdom	16 (for high-caffeine drinks)	Legal ban (effective 2025)	Mandated
Poland	Under 18	Legal ban (enacted 2023)	Enforced
Lithuania	Under 18	Legal ban (introduced 2014)	Enforced
Canada	18 (for online Community access)	No federal purchase restriction	Depends on retailer/province
Austria	None	No specific age regulation	Labeling only

Conclusion

The ability to buy Monster under 18 in the US is not uniformly regulated. While federal law doesn't prohibit it, local ordinances and store policies often do. Health experts strongly caution against energy drink consumption for adolescents due to significant health risks. For teenagers, avoiding energy drinks is the safest option. Be mindful of potential health issues and check specific store policies if you are underage and considering purchasing an energy drink. For more details on the health impacts, resources like Johns Hopkins Medicine offer valuable information.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends. In the United States, it is not illegal at the federal level. However, some local jurisdictions and many retailers have their own specific bans and age-checking policies that could prevent the sale.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends that adolescents aged 12-18 limit their caffeine intake to less than 100mg daily. A single 16oz can of Monster contains 160mg of caffeine.

Many stores, especially large chains, have voluntarily implemented age-checking policies, such as 'Check 25,' to restrict sales of energy drinks to minors. This is done to mitigate liability and align with public health concerns, even where no law requires it.

Potential health risks include an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, and dental problems due to high caffeine and sugar content.

Yes. Countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have all implemented nationwide bans on the sale of energy drinks to those under 18.

Monster's terms of use state its website and community are targeted at adults, and it follows standard labeling practices warning that energy drinks are 'not recommended for children'. However, the company does not enforce a purchase age limit beyond what retailers or local laws require.

If a store denies a purchase based on their age policy, it is within their right to do so. The best course of action is to respect their store policy and choose a safer beverage, like water or juice.