CABINET has approved the reintroduction of a Special Consumption Tax on Energy Drinks through the amendment of the General Consumption Tax (GCT).

The announcement was made by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects Daryl Vaz at the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

He said the decision was taken at Cabinet’s August meeting.

Minister Vaz said that the definition of “energy drink” will be determined by the Ministry of Health and will depend on the list of ingredients contained including herbs, amino acids and may include caffeine.

He reminded journalists that energy drinks were included in the last round of items slated for GCT increases. However, the increases were withdrawn pending comprehensive definition of an energy drink, which has now been done.

According to Vaz, the organisations involved in the distribution of these drinks had been included in the discussions on the tax increase.