Soldiers’ Home Association cancels planned conscript energy drink

The Sotilaskotiliitto, an umbrella organisation for soldiers’ home associations, has cancelled plans to sell its own energy drink to conscripts because of concerns about the health effects of energy drinks, Yle reports. Other brands will continue to be sold in soldiers’ homes.

The planned drink would have been a cheap, domestic product priced at 1.75 euros. A test group praised its taste and the idea of having an energy drink made specifically for conscripts, although members said they would have preferred a sugar-free version.

Conscripts interviewed by Yle said they would have welcomed the product. Energy drinks are among the most popular items sold in soldiers’ homes, particularly during long exercises and periods of night duty.

“It would certainly sell well,” conscript Rasmus Haataja said. Alexander Knuuttila also supported adding a domestic product that was not available in ordinary shops.

Sotilaskotiliitto managing director Satu Mustalahti said the organisation ultimately did not want to associate its name with energy drinks because of their health effects. The decision was first reported by Ruotuväki.

The Finnish Conscripts’ Union criticised the cancellation. Its chair, Mats Uotila, said conscripts are adults who can make their own decisions. He compared energy drinks with doughnuts and sweets, which are also sold in soldiers’ homes.

Energy drinks have become more popular than coffee in soldiers’ homes, where they are displayed near the start of the shop aisle. Neither the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare nor the Defence Forces has statistics on how many conscripts drink them.