The Government says it will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England beginning in April next year, saying the move would protect children’s health and wellbeing.
Drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre would be covered by the ban, which is subject to parliamentary approval and would apply to sales in shops, vending machines and online.
Lower-caffeine soft drinks – such as Coca‑Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Pepsi – are not affected but drinks including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime would all breach the limit.
Retailers will be responsible for ensuring the drinks are not sold to under-16s and businesses that fail to do so face fines of up to £2,500.
Ministers said around 100,000 children in England consume such drinks every day and cited evidence linking them to sleep disruption, anxiety and poor concentration.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said: “High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands.
“We know thousands of kids in England consume them daily but the evidence is clear that this can cause anxiety, affect their sleep and concentration and can have a detrimental impact on their education.
Coke and Diet Coke will be among the drinks still available. (Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)“This ban will reduce children’s opportunity to buy drinks that are harmful to their health and wellbeing, and demonstrates our firm commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever.”
The energy drinks ban is the latest in a series of measures pursued by outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to curb risks facing children and teenagers.
It follows a plan to ban social media for under-16s and impose default overnight social media curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds, arguing the restrictions will improve young people’s health, sleep and wellbeing.
The British Soft Drinks Association said the ban was “unnecessary”.
“Since 2010, our members have committed not to market or promote the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, and all high-caffeine beverages carry a ‘not recommended for children’ label,” said a spokesman.
“The available evidence shows that the vast majority of caffeine consumed by children and adolescents comes from sources other than energy drinks.
“The UK Government’s decision to introduce legislation restricting the sale of energy drinks to under-16s in England is unnecessary – and not supported by robust evidence of overconsumption or harm, as the consultation response itself acknowledges.”
With Reuters and PA
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