Overview

• Ministers propose making it illegal to sell qualifying energy drinks to under-16s in shops, restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online.
• The government has opened a 12-week consultation to gather evidence from health and education experts, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement and the public.
• The Department of Health estimates the policy could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children, with about 100,000 children consuming at least one high-caffeine drink daily.
• Many major supermarkets already apply voluntary age restrictions, but research indicates smaller convenience stores continue selling these products to children despite existing warning labels.
• Health bodies and teaching unions broadly support the measure, while the British Soft Drinks Association cites industry self-regulation and urges rigorous, evidence-based rulemaking.