South Korea legislates to ban the sale of coffee in primary and secondary schools? Too much schoolwork leads to one cup of coffee a day for senior high school students.

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South Korea's Ministry of Food, Pharmaceutical and Safety has announced that primary and secondary schools across the country will ban the sale of coffee, and the new law will take effect on the 14th of this month. Officials say the huge pressure on schoolwork has caused students to consume too much caffeine during exams, and it is hoped that the new policy will help students develop healthy eating habits.

CNN reported that the ban will apply to the entire campus, meaning that no one, including teachers, can buy caffeinated drinks on campus.

Effective on September 14th

An official from South Korea's Food, Medical and Drug Safety Agency (MFDS) said that students often face great pressure on their schoolwork, resulting in many cases of excessive caffeine intake during exams, and MFDS hopes the ban will help students develop healthier eating habits. Other high-volume caffeinated drinks, such as energy drinks, have long been banned on campus.

A 2012 survey of more than 5400 middle and high school students in South Korea found that 19% of respondents drank one or more cups of coffee a day. More than half of the respondents said that although they knew that consuming too much caffeine was harmful to their health, they still drank caffeinated drinks to boost their spirits.

"Middle and high school students are aware of the dangers of caffeine, but they actually still drink coffee," the study said. This means that simply educating these students about the harm of caffeine abuse still cannot prevent them from hurting themselves.

The survey results were supported by Kim Sang-hee, a member of the Democratic Party, and proposed a bill to ban the sale of coffee on campus. The legislation has now been completed and will come into effect on 14 September. However, critics point out that students can easily buy coffee or other caffeinated drinks as long as they walk out of school for a few minutes.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), caffeine may have several harmful effects on children's health, including damage to the development of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. AAP further pointed out that in general, children should avoid caffeinated drinks, including sodas.

With an average of 380 cups per person per year in Japan and 300 cups in South Korea, there are a staggering number of coffee shops in South Korea. According to statistics, there are more coffee shops in Seoul than superstores, and excessive caffeine consumption has aroused concern. As a result, the South Korean government will completely ban the sale of coffee in primary and secondary schools.