Ban on caffeinated drinks has some W.Va. schools worrying more about money than student health

In an effort to combat West Virginia's high rate of poor oral health and obesity among children, the state's Board of Education agreed to ban the sale of caffeinated drinks in high schools. The ban never received the legislative backing board members hoped for, and now some school officials question whether the ban is legal and whether it is worth a possible loss of revenue, reports Davin White of The Charleston Gazette.

"The caffeine ban came as part of a larger nutrition policy that also limits total calories, sodium, fat and sugar in school meals and vending machine products," White writes. "It applies to foods available during the school day and does not affect after-school fundraisers."

While board members want to improve health, many are torn since a ban on soft drink sales would mean a loss of revenue. Capital High School Principal Clinton Giles told White, "I'm clearly a bit torn, in a bit of a quandary" since soft drink sales (from vending machines such as those in above Gazette photo by Chris Dorst) helps pay for printing fees, stipends for Advanced Placement and college-entrance exams, after-school credit recovery classes, travel costs and more.

"Revenue translates directly into increased delivery of curriculum to students," Giles said. "I like the idea of students at Capital High School not having to pay lab fees." In most if not all other states that have limited or banned sales of sugary and fatty snacks and drinks, revenue from sales of healthier products has eventually replaced lost revenue.

The ban goes into effect July 1, and does not bar students from bringing in soft drinks purchased outside of school. Giles said he would comply with the ban and offer 100 percent healthy food. (Read more)