UK plans energy drink ban for minors

The British Labour government has announced a law to ban anyone under 16 from buying energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, and Prime in England, whether in shops, restaurants, bars, vending machines, or online. This is part of a new effort to "protect the health of young people."

It is estimated that up to one-third of teenagers in the UK consume these types of drinks every week, despite most supermarkets already having voluntary bans in place, CE Report quotes ANSA.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the initiative from Keir Starmer’s government aims to respond to concerns from parents and teachers. Some of the most popular drinks contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee, which can impact not only health but also behavior. Drinks with low caffeine content, such as Diet Coke, will be exempt from the ban.

The new measure will undergo a 12-week consultation period involving experts from various sectors. TV chef Jamie Oliver has repeatedly warned about the effects energy drinks can cause.

“We’re talking about three or four shots of espresso in one of these cans. A lot of sugar. So a real nightmare,” he said in a video posted on X last year.

In June, a ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes came into effect in the UK as part of a crackdown on vaping, especially to protect young people.