(NSFW) How much money and grief would be saved if soft or energy drinks were restricted to adults only?

Shoot, we can’t keep substances that are restricted to children away from them (cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, etc). Likely the kids will find ways to get newly restricted substances as well.
So I suspect that there will be little savings in money and grief.

Yeah. This question, or the concept, is VASTLY bigger and more complex than just soda.

But. If you’re curious “why soda,” is so popular, it’s because you are on a continent that has massive corn farms. Corn syrup, is (unfortunately) a very common ingredient in foods/beverages on grocery store shelves.

Ethanol, is added to the gasoline, ALL to put all that corn to use.

Processed, and ultra-processed sugar, is another massive culprit.

Overall nutritional standards are in a constant state of decline.

And yes, there are zillions of things we should not consume, ever. Not just at certain ages.

This be a big can ‘o worms.

Restricting things like that would seem impossible. Just like with the Volstead Act that outlawed alcohol, it would fail miserably.

Much of what you are seeing as problems are choices in parenting, individual choice, and some societal hang-ups.

There are teens self-medicating their ADHD with energy drinks. They feel good, but their symptoms are worse.

Adults get cavities and tooth erosion, too! It’s not a kid-only issue.

“Soft drink consumption is one of several leading causes of tooth decay. Soda is a triple threat to your teeth. Besides weakening tooth enamel, the carbonation, sugar and acids encourage the growth of bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth, which contribute to cavities.”

We would just find a different vice to spend that money on.