Energy drink ban for under-16s welcomed by NASUWT

NASUWT has welcomed the government’s new law that the sale of energy drinks could be banned for under-16s.

It comes as government data found that up up to one-third of children aged 13 to 16 years, and nearly a quarter of children aged 11 to 12 years, consume one or more of these drinks each week, 

In light of this, the government said it will consult on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s due to negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health.

The Department for Education added that the move is “backed by parents, teachers and teaching unions who report on pupils being unable to concentrate and focus and even negatively affecting grades and academic performance”. 

Evidence also shows that children from more deprived communities are more likely to consume these products, further contributing to health inequalities across the country.

Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Through our Plan for Change, we are determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve and the best start in life.

This government inherited a scourge of poor classroom behaviour that undermines the learning of too many children – partly driven by the harmful effects of caffeine-loaded drinks – and today’s announcement is another step forward in addressing that legacy.

“It goes hand in hand with our work to address the root causes of poor behaviour with targeted support to hundreds of struggling schools, access to a specialist mental health professional in every school and updated school food standards so children have access to healthy food and drink options during the school day.”

Matt Wrack, general secretary of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said: “We have long campaigned for a ban on the sale of these types of energy drinks to children and young people and we welcome this announcement from government. 

“Teachers and school leaders continue to see first-hand on a daily basis the contribution energy drinks can make to poor pupil behaviour and pupils’ ability to concentrate in class.”

He added: “While the voluntary bans which have been implemented by many major retailers are helpful, we believe they do not go far enough to protect children and young people’s wellbeing and statutory regulation to introduce a blanket ban is needed.

“However children will still be able to obtain these drinks from their parents or other adults and therefore alongside a ban we also believe better public health campaigns to make adults and young people more aware of the harms energy drinks may cause are needed.”