Energy drinks to be banned from sale to under-16s in England | Health
Highly caffeinated energy drinks have “no place in the hands of children” and will be banned from sale to under-16s in England from April next year under new laws designed to improve young people’s health outcomes.
According to the government, approximately 100,000 children nationwide currently drink highly caffeinated energy drinks every day; children in more deprived areas and households are more likely to consume them.
Consumption of these products, which have become increasingly popular in playgrounds and promoted by online influencers, is associated with a range of harms, including physical and mental health effects as well as negative educational outcomes, ministers said.
The ban will apply in stores, vending machines and online. This follows a public consultation involving businesses, public health organizations and the public, which found strong support for the introduction of the age limit.
The legislation will specifically apply to beverages containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre, excluding tea and coffee.
Public Health Secretary Sharon Hodgson said: “Highly caffeine energy drinks have no place in the hands of children. We know thousands of children in England consume them every day, but the evidence is clear that they can cause anxiety, affect their sleep and concentration and have a detrimental impact on their education.”
“This ban will reduce opportunities for children to purchase drinks that are harmful to their health and well-being and demonstrates our commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever.”
Once the ban comes into force, retailers will be responsible for ensuring these drinks are not sold to anyone under 16; The implementation will be carried out by local authorities. Businesses that breach the law will face fines of up to £2,500.
The government said the initiative would improve children’s health, tackle childhood obesity and help support parents.
Katharine Jenner, chief executive of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the ban was vital to protect children in poorer communities.
He said: “This is an extremely popular policy supported by parents, healthcare professionals and the public and is a vital step towards protecting children’s health. With strong evidence linking high-caffeine energy drinks to anxiety, poor sleep, reduced concentration and damage to learning and wellbeing, it is prudent to restrict sales to children at a vital time in their lives.”
Doctors have previously said that excessive consumption of energy drinks can increase the risk of heart disease and pose a serious risk of stroke.
