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| Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s | |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster and Prime from shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. | The government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster and Prime from shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. |
| Up to a third of UK children are thought to consume these types of drinks every week, despite most supermarkets having already introduced a voluntary ban. | Up to a third of UK children are thought to consume these types of drinks every week, despite most supermarkets having already introduced a voluntary ban. |
| Some popular drinks contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee. | Some popular drinks contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee. |
| Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said he was acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the issue "head on", to protect young people's health. | Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said he was acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the issue "head on", to protect young people's health. |
| Lower-caffeine soft drinks, such Diet Coke, are not affected, and neither are tea and coffee. | Lower-caffeine soft drinks, such Diet Coke, are not affected, and neither are tea and coffee. |
| A consultation will now run for 12 weeks to gather evidence from health and education experts as well as the public and retailers and manufacturers. | A consultation will now run for 12 weeks to gather evidence from health and education experts as well as the public and retailers and manufacturers. |
| TV chef Jamie Oliver has repeatedly warned of the dangers and disruption energy drinks can cause, with kids coming into school "bouncing off the walls" having had energy drinks for breakfast. | TV chef Jamie Oliver has repeatedly warned of the dangers and disruption energy drinks can cause, with kids coming into school "bouncing off the walls" having had energy drinks for breakfast. |
| "We are talking about three, four shots of espresso in one of these things. Loads of sugar. So an absolute nightmare," he said in a video posted on X last year. | "We are talking about three, four shots of espresso in one of these things. Loads of sugar. So an absolute nightmare," he said in a video posted on X last year. |
| Excessive consumption is linked to headaches and sleep problems. | Excessive consumption is linked to headaches and sleep problems. |
| Too much caffeine can cause a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures too. | Too much caffeine can cause a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures too. |
| Although rare, there have been some deaths linked to excess caffeine. | Although rare, there have been some deaths linked to excess caffeine. |
| Under current labelling rules, any drink, other than tea or coffee, with over 150mg of caffeine per litre requires a warning label saying: "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women." | Under current labelling rules, any drink, other than tea or coffee, with over 150mg of caffeine per litre requires a warning label saying: "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women." |
| Young people have smaller bodies and their brains are still developing, which can make them more sensitive to caffeine, say experts. | Young people have smaller bodies and their brains are still developing, which can make them more sensitive to caffeine, say experts. |
| For most adults, up to 400mg of caffeine a day, or about four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea, is safe. | For most adults, up to 400mg of caffeine a day, or about four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea, is safe. |
| "By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we're helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come," said Mr Streeting. | "By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we're helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come," said Mr Streeting. |
| Prof Steve Turner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said a ban was the "next logical step" in making children's diets more healthy. | Prof Steve Turner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said a ban was the "next logical step" in making children's diets more healthy. |
| And Prof Amelia Lake from Teesside University, who has studied the drinks' impact on young people's lives, said they had "no place" in the diets of children. | And Prof Amelia Lake from Teesside University, who has studied the drinks' impact on young people's lives, said they had "no place" in the diets of children. |
| "Our research has shown the significant mental and physical health consequences of children drinking energy drinks. | "Our research has shown the significant mental and physical health consequences of children drinking energy drinks. |
| "We know these drinks are part of youth culture and associated with sports, gaming, music and more, but there is a lack of clear signalling about their health consequences." | "We know these drinks are part of youth culture and associated with sports, gaming, music and more, but there is a lack of clear signalling about their health consequences." |
| But Gavin Partington from the British Soft Drinks Association said manufacturers had already led the way with self regulation. | But Gavin Partington from the British Soft Drinks Association said manufacturers had already led the way with self regulation. |
| "As with all government policy, it's essential that any forthcoming regulation is based on a rigorous assessment of the evidence that's available," he added. | "As with all government policy, it's essential that any forthcoming regulation is based on a rigorous assessment of the evidence that's available," he added. |
| Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering a ban. | Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering a ban. |