No More Wings on Campus: AUC says Goodbye to Redbull and Energy Drinks

• Reporter: Noor Mubarak
• Edited by: Marina Ramy
• Photographer: Menna Darwish

As of the Spring 2025 semester, the American University in Cairo (AUC) has officially banned the sale of energy drinks on campus, a move that aligns with the university’s commitment to student wellness and health-consciousness.

But students are crying foul.

The decision was made following discussions among various AUC officials and offices, including President Ahmed Dallal, Provost Ehab Abdelrahman, and the Center for Student Well-Being. 

To address the different speculations that were spread within the student body,  Dean of Students Yorgun Marcel said that the ban did not stem from a specific incident, but rather a culmination of ongoing discussions and broader concerns, such as the dangers of excessive caffeine consumption in high-stress academic environments.

Marcel referenced the numerous extensive research being done worldwide on the harmful effects of energy drinks, particularly for young people. 

He explained that consuming large amounts of caffeine without regulation could have harmful effects, ranging from panic attacks and caffeine overdoses to, in some cases, fatalities. 

“We want to encourage students to find healthier ways to manage their energy and stress levels,” he said. 

The university’s decision comes at a time when energy drink consumption is rising in Egypt. A Cureus Journal of Medical Science study in 2023 examined energy drink consumption patterns in Damanhur City and found that 38.5% of the 350 surveyed adolescents consume energy drinks, with 14.2% drinking them more than once a day. The main reasons were fighting fatigue and improving concentration. 

Marcel highlighted that Egyptians’ high consumption of energy drinks is concerning, especially since individuals tend to be unaware of their total caffeine intake, given that we live in a “coffee-centric culture”. 

 “We had to ask ourselves as an institution: Do we want to contribute to promoting this kind of consumption?” Marcel added.

Despite the health concerns, some students are not on board with the decision, highlighting how there was no formal student consultations.  Questions arose around why energy drinks in particular were banned while other high-caffeine beverages remain available on campus.

 “If the goal is health, why are we still allowed to buy coffee and sodas, which also contain high levels of caffeine and sugar?” said Seif Awad, a Management of Information and Communication Technology senior. 

Mariam Ahmed, a Management of Information and Communication Technology junior, believes the university should have involved students in the discussion before making a final decision.

“A lot of us rely on them, especially during midterms and finals. Now we have to go off-campus to buy them.”

Marcel acknowledged the fact that although the decision was made without a formal student consultation, providing energy drinks on campus is not an obligation. 

“This isn’t an essential function of the university. We provide food and drink options, but we don’t have to provide every available product. Students are still free to make their own choices outside campus,” he said.

Despite the student opposition, the administration does not currently plan to revisit the decision. 

Instead, the university has been actively promoting wellness initiatives as alternatives to energy drinks, emphasizing time management and other healthier ways to sustain energy.