England to Ban Energy Drinks for Under-16s Amid Growing Health Concerns.
The UK government has announced plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 in England. The new law would prevent under-16s from buying drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Prime in shops, cafes, restaurants, vending machines, and online.
The move comes after growing concerns from parents, teachers, and health experts about the effects of high caffeine and sugar consumption among young people.
Why Are Energy Drinks Being Banned?
Despite most supermarkets already enforcing voluntary restrictions, research suggests up to one-third of UK children consume energy drinks weekly.
Many of these products contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee. For children, this can trigger:
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Headaches and poor sleep
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Rapid or irregular heartbeats
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Seizures in extreme cases
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Dental problems and obesity (from high sugar content)
According to the Association of UK Dieticians, these drinks pose long-term risks for children’s physical and mental health.
Government Response
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the decision was shaped by calls from parents, teachers, and young people themselves.
“You can see the impact on health, concentration, and learning, and that is why we are acting,” he told BBC Breakfast.
The government has launched a 12-week consultation involving health experts, schools, retailers, and the drinks industry. Although no exact date has been confirmed, Streeting says the ban will be introduced well before the end of this parliament.
The Bigger Picture: Energy Drinks and Youth Culture
Energy drinks have become deeply embedded in youth culture, boosted by:
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Bright packaging
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Flavoured, sugary options appealing to teenagers
Youth activist Carrera, 18, from the group Bite Back, says manufacturers are deliberately targeting children:
“It’s no wonder energy drinks have become the social currency of the playground.”
Campaigners like TV chef Jamie Oliver have also warned for years about kids arriving at school “bouncing off the walls” after drinking cans packed with caffeine and sugar equivalent to three or four espresso shots.
Expert Opinions
Medical experts support the ban as a way to improve children’s diets:
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Prof Steve Turner, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health: called the ban the “next logical step.”
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Prof Amelia Lake, Teesside University: stressed that energy drinks have “no place” in children’s diets and highlighted links to poor mental and physical health outcomes.
Industry Reaction
The British Soft Drinks Association says manufacturers have already introduced voluntary restrictions and clear caffeine warning labels. They caution that any new regulation should be based on “rigorous evidence.”
What Happens Next?
The proposed ban is part of a wider debate about children’s health, advertising, and diet. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are also considering similar restrictions.
For now, the consultation will gather views before the law comes into force. But one thing is clear: with caffeine levels in some energy drinks hitting 140mg per can, children’s health is at the centre of this decision.
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