DURHAM, N.H. -- University of New Hampshire President Mark W. Huddleston will allow sales of energy drinks to continue in campus retail and vending locations, reversing a decision to stop providing them in January 2012.

"While certain energy drinks contain extreme amounts of caffeine, the brands on sale at UNH generally include amounts comparable to other caffeinated beverages, such as coffee," said Huddleston. "Moreover, our sales data reflect that most students are buying single servings of these drinks, rather than the multiple servings that might imply bingeing behavior. Nor do we have clear medical evidence of consistent patterns of caffeine abuse or of alcohol abuse exacerbated by the use of energy drinks among UNH students."

While the New Hampshire Higher Education Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Survey, conducted last spring, found that 20 percent of UNH students who participated in the survey reported that they had mixed alcohol and energy drinks during the previous 30 days, it did not address either caffeine bingeing or alcohol abuse exacerbated by mixing with energy drinks.

Huddleston on Monday announced he would delay implementation of a ban on the sale of energy drinks, promising to review the data used in making the decision. "I do not now see a clear rationale for eliminating an option that our students say they want," Huddleston concluded.

Huddleston announced the decision to UNH students via his Twitter feed: @MarkHuddleston.

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