England has announced plans to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to individuals under 16, a move aimed at addressing growing concerns over youth health and academic performance. Health Minister Wes Streeting emphasized the initiative’s focus on curbing excessive caffeine intake among teenagers, with up to a third of 13- to 16-year-olds reportedly consuming such beverages regularly.
"By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we're helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come," Streeting stated. Many energy drinks contain caffeine levels exceeding two cups of coffee, raising alarms about sleep disruption, concentration issues, and long-term health risks like obesity and dental problems.
The government will launch a 12-week consultation to gather input from health experts, retailers, and manufacturers. Current regulations mandate warning labels for drinks with over 150mg of caffeine per liter, but the new ban would enforce stricter age-based restrictions. Streeting linked the policy to broader efforts to improve educational outcomes, asking, "How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of a double espresso in their system daily?"
While supermarkets have already adopted voluntary bans, the proposed law seeks nationwide compliance. For global readers, particularly in Asia, the move highlights evolving debates around youth health regulations and their socioeconomic implications.
