Government to introduce energy drinks ban for teenagers and children

Shops will be banned from selling Red Bull and other drinks “packed to the brim with caffeine” to teenagers, under plans announced by Theresa May.

The scheme will see retailers blocked from selling energy drinks to under 16s and possibly even under 18s.

Insiders told The Independent the intention is to use the same sanctions as selling cigarettes to children – meaning shops could be slapped with fines of £2,500.

Ms May said she was acting as evidence shows excessive consumption of the drinks by children is linked to serious health problems. Some deaths are even connected to them.

The move was welcomed by campaigners including Jamie Oliver, but there will be a backlash from manufacturers and even some ministers who see it as “nanny-statism”.

Speaking during her trip to Africa, the prime minister said: “With thousands of young people regularly consuming energy drinks, often because they are sold at cheaper prices than soft drinks, we will consult on banning the sale of energy drinks to children.

“It is vital that we do all we can to make sure children have the best start in life.”

She launched a consultation on exactly how the ban should work, though the intention is it will apply to drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.

Confirming the measure will now be pushed through, one government insider said: “It is a question of how, not whether we do it.”

One 250ml can of Red Bull contains around 80mg of caffeine – the equivalent of nearly three cans of cola.

Some energy drinks also contain exceptionally high levels of sugar, with on average 60 per cent more calories and 65 per cent more sugar than other regular soft drinks.

With more than two-thirds of 10 to 17-year-olds and a quarter of six to nine-year-olds consuming energy drinks, they are likely contributing to both obesity and tooth decay.

Officials argue that excessive consumption has already been linked to health issues in children, from headaches and sleep problems to stomach aches and hyperactivity.

The death of Irish 18-year-old Ross Cooney in 2000, after he drank four cans during a basketball match, led to calls for more research.

Surveys from teachers’ unions have also suggested that they contribute to poor behaviour in classrooms.

Public health minister Steve Brine said: “We all have a responsibility to protect children from products that are damaging to their health and education, and we know that drinks packed to the brim with caffeine, and often sugar, are becoming a common fixture of their diet.

“Our children already consume 50 per cent more of these drinks than our European counterparts.”

The drinks are already banned for sale to children by some major retailers, but remain readily available in vending machines and smaller shops.

In the UK grocery market, including corner shops, only 21 per cent of locations are signed up to the voluntary restrictions.

TV chef Jamie Oliver said: “We have a massive problem with kids and energy drinks.

“Too many children are regularly using them to replace breakfast.”

He said teachers across the country had told him lessons are disrupted because of the drinks packed with stimulants.

Calling the ban “great news” he added: “The energy drinks industry has never thought these products were suitable for children. They even say ‘not for children’ on the labels.”

Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics, and Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie also backed the ban.

But Ms May is likely to face push back from the drinks industry already subject to sugar restrictions.

One senior minister also hit out last night that government policy has been reduced to “a ban a day”.

The frontbencher fumed: "Every day, something else banned. It's just so depressing."

The consultation launches on Thursday lasting 12 weeks and invites views on the age from which restrictions on buying energy drinks should apply – either 18 years old or 16 years old as options.