Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s in England from April – Here’s what’s changing

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson declared that the measure “demonstrates our firm commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever”.

Tea, coffee and lower-caffeine soft drinks like Diet Coke remain unaffected by the new restrictions.

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The legislation, initially proposed last year, requires parliamentary approval before taking effect.

Local authorities across England will bear responsibility for enforcing the new rules, with retailers facing penalties of up to £2,500 should they breach the legislation.

The restrictions extend beyond traditional retail outlets to encompass restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online platforms.

Approximately 100,000 children in England currently consume energy drinks on a daily basis, according to government figures.

The measures follow a public consultation that garnered some 1,100 responses, with overwhelming support for introducing age restrictions on these beverages.

Secondary legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990 will provide the legal framework for implementation.

The government’s rationale centres on tackling childhood obesity whilst addressing concerns about disrupted sleep patterns, heightened anxiety and diminished concentration in the classroom.

Certain popular brands contain caffeine equivalent to more than two cups of coffee or four cans of cola.

Medical experts note that young people exhibit greater sensitivity to caffeine owing to their smaller bodies and still-developing brains.

Excessive caffeine intake has been associated with headaches, sleep difficulties, rapid heart rate, abnormal cardiac rhythms and, in rare instances, seizures.

Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, praised the policy, stating that restricting sales to children “at a vital time in their life is just common-sense”.

The British Soft Drinks Association dismissed the prohibition as “unnecessary”, with a spokesperson noting: “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 industry body’s objection highlights existing voluntary measures already in place across the sector.

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The previous Conservative administration had contemplated similar restrictions but abandoned the proposal in 2022, arguing that consumption ought to remain a matter of personal choice.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are each examining the possibility of introducing comparable bans within their own jurisdictions.