High-caffeine energy drinks “have no place in children’s hands” and will be banned from sale to under-16s in England from April next year under new laws designed to improve health outcomes in young people.
About 100,000 children across the country currently drink high-caffeine energy drinks daily, with those in more deprived areas and households more likely to consume them, according to the government.
Increasingly popular in playgrounds and promoted by online influencers, their consumption 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 shops, vending machines and online. It comes after a public consultation involving businesses, public health organisations and members of the public that found strong support for the introduction of an age restriction.
The legislation will specifically apply to drinks – not including tea or coffee – that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.
Sharon Hodgson, the public health minister, 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.
“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.”
When the ban comes into force, retailers will be responsible for ensuring they are not selling these drinks to under-16s; while enforcement will be carried out by local authorities. Businesses that break the law face fines of up to £2,500.
The government said the initiative would improve children’s health, combat childhood obesity and help support parents.
Katharine Jenner, the executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the ban was vital to protect children in more deprived communities.
She said: “This is a hugely popular policy, backed by parents, health professionals and the public, and a vital step towards protecting children’s health. Strong evidence links high-caffeine energy drinks to anxiety, poor sleep, reduced concentration and harm to learning and wellbeing – restricting sales to children at a vital time in their life is just common sense.”
Doctors have previously said heavy consumption of energy drinks may raise the risk of heart disease and pose a serious risk of stroke.
