The government is set to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England.
The ban will apply to drinks, other than tea or coffee, containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.
The legislation will come into force in April 2027 and will apply in shops, vending machines and also online.
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.”
Businesses face fines of up to £2,500 if found to be selling these drinks to under-16s.
It follows a consultation which received nearly 1,100 responses from businesses, public health organisations, enforcement bodies and members of the public, with strong support for introducing an age restriction.
It’s estimated around 100,000 children in England drink energy drinks high in caffeine every day.
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.
The government will now take forward secondary legislation using powers contained in the Food Safety Act 1990, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, 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.
Children in more deprived communities are disproportionately affected.
“Extending the ban across shops, vending machines and online sales will create a fair, consistent system for retailers and families.
“After years of delay, the Government must now secure approval, support effective enforcement and ensure the ban starts promptly in April 2027.”
The British Soft Drinks Association, however, said the ban was “unnecessary”.
A spokesperson said: “BSDA members have led the way in responsible retailing through the association’s long-standing voluntary code of practice.
“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.
“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.”
The consultation is part of a series of measures by the government to improve the health of children and combat childhood obesity.
Other measures include extending the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, introducing supervised toothbrushing for 3 to 5-year-olds to protect those in the most deprived communities from tooth decay and restricting less healthy food from being placed in certain locations in stores.
Earlier this week, MPs urged the government “stand up” to the food industry to combat England’s obesity crisis which is costing the nation tens of billions annually after decades of inaction.
The Health and Social Care Committee has called for a comprehensive overhaul, including a ban on all outdoor advertising of junk food and mandatory front-of-pack labelling.
Their proposals aim to rectify a food environment that steers consumers towards cheaper, high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) products over nutritious alternatives.
