Britain To Ban Sales Of Energy Drinks To Children

Britain Moves To Curb Child Obesity

Britain’s government has launched plans to gather public opinion on the ban of the sale of energy drinks to young people, as the nation is presently struggling with worst child obesity rates.

Once effected, retailers would be banned from selling some popular energy drinks to children because of their high levels of sugar and caffeine.

The government has linked a host of health and behaviour problems, from headaches to hyperactivity in children, aged between 10-17-year-old, a quarter of six to 9-year-olds to their consumption of energy drinks.

“Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health challenges this country faces,” May said in a statement.

“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.”

The plans were first announced in June, alongside a commitment to halve childhood obesity rates by 2030.

The 12-week consultation will ask whether the restrictions should apply to children under 16 or under 18 and if the law should be changed to prevent children from buying them in any situation.

The proposed legislation will prevent the sale of energy drinks that contain more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre to children.

A 250-millilitre can may contain double that amount, the equivalent of nearly three cans of cola, according to the department of health.

On average, non-diet energy drinks also contain 60 percent more calories and 65 percent more sugar than regular soft drinks, it said.

Meanwhile nearly a quarter of children in England are obese or overweight by the age of five, rising to one third by the time they leave primary school aged 11.

Public health advocates welcomed the plans but Tam Fry, of Action On Sugar, said it was “astounding that the government feels that a consultation is required”.

“It has been told for years that these drinks are quite unsuitable for children even if they play a lot of sports.

“We need a government that leads rather than going cap-in-hand to the court of popular approval.”