The Government has announced that under-16s will be banned from buying energy drinks from next year
Energy drinks will also be banned from all vending machines in England
From April 2027, it will be illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, formalising restrictions already voluntarily enforced by supermarkets
Up to a third of UK children, especially boys, consume at least one energy drink a week putting their health and wellbeing at risk says the Department of Health
It’s estimated around 100,000 children in England drink energy drinks high in caffeine every day and evidence suggests this can negatively impact their physical and mental health, as well as their education.
Children living in more deprived areas and households are more likely to consume these drinks, increasing health risks and impairing their learning.
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.
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.
