Energy drinks to be banned for children to combat rising anxiety and depression

The sale of high-caffeine energy drinks fuelling child anxiety and depression are to be banned for under 16-year-olds.

Shops will be banned from selling Red Bull, Monster and Prime energy drinks, among others, to all youngsters, the government has announced.

The move is expected to stop up to 40,000 kids from becoming obese and improve the sleep quality and education results for hundreds of thousands of children.

While many major retailers already choose to restrict sales of the drinks, some convenience stores still sell them children.

High-caffeine energy drinks are defined as those containing over 150mg of caffeine per litre.

These already require warning labels stating they are not recommended for children.

Now the government plans to ban the sale of these drinks to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers, including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.

How much caffeine are in popular energy drinks?

Red Bull contains 80mg in just a 250ml can, the same as one espresso, which amounts to 320mg per litre.

Monster and Relentless Energy Drinks contain 160mg of caffeine in 500ml of the drink, or 320mg per litre.

Prime Energy is packed with 140mg of caffeine in its 330ml bottles. That is 420mg of caffeine per litre.

Despite the high-caffeine content, 100,000 children consume at least one of these drinks a day.

As many as a third of 13 to 16-year-olds consume one of these a week.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of a double espresso in their system on a daily basis?

‘Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity.

‘As part of our Plan for Change and shift from treatment to prevention, we’re acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the root causes of poor health and educational attainment head on.

‘By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.’

One 2024 study of 1.2 million children and young people found a link between energy drink consumption and increased headaches, irritation, tiredness, and poor sleep.

They also found increased risk of emotional problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.

One of the researchers behind the study, Professor Amelia Lake, agrees that high-caffeine energy drinks ‘have no place in the diets of children’.

The government also says the ban could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.

Katharine Jenner, Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said: ‘High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands.

‘We fully support the government’s proposal to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. This is a common-sense, evidence-based step to protect children’s physical, mental, and dental health.

‘Age-of-sale policies like this have a proven record of reducing access to products that are not suitable for children, and will help create an environment that supports healthier choices for future generations.’

The drinks are not banned straight away, with the government first launching a consultation on the delivery of the plan.

The measures have already been welcomed by parents.

Father-of-two Rounaq Nayak from Bristol said: ‘As a parent, I welcome the government’s announcement on restricting high caffeine energy drink sales to children.

‘I’ve seen how marketing and peer influence make these drinks seem appealing – from my youngest wanting to copy older kids to my eldest believing they make you “faster” at sport.

‘Clear regulation, alongside education in schools and for parents, is essential to protect children’s health and ensure companies are held accountable for how these products are promoted.’

Mum Lauren Morley, who is an ambassador for the charity Sustain like Rounaq, added: ‘As a parent of a 6-year-old and an educator with 13 years’ experience, I’ve seen the harm these drinks cause.

‘In schools, I’ve witnessed panic attacks, anxiety and poor focus, often after students consume multiple cans instead of breakfast.

‘My concern grows as my child gets older. When young people stop drinking them, we see their wellbeing, concentration, and mood noticeably improve.’

The energy drink ban will lower-caffeine soft drinks such as colas, nor tea and coffee.

Many other countries have already implemented similar bans.

Lithuania and Latvia banned the sale of energy drinks to under 18s in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

Sweden has also banned the sale of energy drinks to under 15-year-olds.

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