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| Brigham Young University ends Mormon ban on caffeinated soda | Brigham Young University ends Mormon ban on caffeinated soda |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Brigham Young University, the largest Mormon college in the US, has decided to begin selling caffeinated sodas. | Brigham Young University, the largest Mormon college in the US, has decided to begin selling caffeinated sodas. |
| The surprise announcement marks a major cultural shift for the church-owned university which has been designated "caffeine-free" since the 1950s. | The surprise announcement marks a major cultural shift for the church-owned university which has been designated "caffeine-free" since the 1950s. |
| Students had been advocating for the change since at least 2012 after the church revised its policy on the stimulant prized by college students. | Students had been advocating for the change since at least 2012 after the church revised its policy on the stimulant prized by college students. |
| Mormons are still prohibited from consuming tea or coffee. | Mormons are still prohibited from consuming tea or coffee. |
| But following Brigham Young's policy switch, sales of fizzy drinks have already begun on the Utah campus. | But following Brigham Young's policy switch, sales of fizzy drinks have already begun on the Utah campus. |
| "Consumer preferences have clearly changed," the university's dining services page explained in an online Q&A announcing the change. | "Consumer preferences have clearly changed," the university's dining services page explained in an online Q&A announcing the change. |
| Non-caffeinated sodas will continue to be offered, but not highly caffeinated "energy drinks". | Non-caffeinated sodas will continue to be offered, but not highly caffeinated "energy drinks". |
| In 2012 the Mormon church clarified its policy on caffeine, paving the way for Thursday's decision. | In 2012 the Mormon church clarified its policy on caffeine, paving the way for Thursday's decision. |
| The Church of the Latter-day Saints, as it is formally known, determined that a reference to "hot drinks" in religious texts only applied to tea and coffee, not all caffeine products. | |
| The decision occurred around the time that Mitt Romney was spotted swigging a Diet Coke during his presidential campaign against Barack Obama, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. | The decision occurred around the time that Mitt Romney was spotted swigging a Diet Coke during his presidential campaign against Barack Obama, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. |
| Mormon worshippers are still prohibited from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and students at the predominantly Mormon school are famously required to abide by a strict "honour pledge". | Mormon worshippers are still prohibited from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and students at the predominantly Mormon school are famously required to abide by a strict "honour pledge". |
| Students must also regularly attend church services, abide by dress and grooming requirements and "live a chaste and virtuous life". | Students must also regularly attend church services, abide by dress and grooming requirements and "live a chaste and virtuous life". |