The Welsh government says it intends to prohibit sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, subject to a consultation, while the soft drinks industry argues the evidence for harm is weak, BBC Wales reports.
The Welsh government has said it intends to take forward proposals to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, subject to the outcome of a consultation, BBC Wales reports. In a written statement, Public and Preventative Health Minister Nerys Evans said the latest evidence suggests a link between consuming such drinks and negative outcomes in children, including more frequent headaches, tiredness and stomach aches, shorter and poorer sleep, and a higher risk of stress, anxiety and depression. The proposal covers drinks other than tea or coffee that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, and the consultation will seek views on enforcement, including online age verification, compliance checks, sanctions, implementation timescales and monitoring.
The move follows a ban in England, where drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime are due to become illegal to sell to under-16s from April in shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. Lower-caffeine soft drinks such as Diet Coke, as well as tea and coffee, are not affected. Under current rules, any non-tea, non-coffee drink above the 150mg threshold must carry a label saying it is not recommended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. BBC Wales reports that some popular brands contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee, and that experts say young people can be more sensitive to caffeine because they have smaller bodies and developing brains. For most adults, up to 400mg of caffeine a day is considered safe.
Reaction is divided. Young people in Cardiff told BBC Wales they backed the plan, with one 17-year-old saying it is easy to start relying on the drinks, and Cardiff dietitian Aisling Pigott called it a step in the right direction, though probably ten years late and not a magic bullet. She also raised concern that children may drink them instead of food. The British Soft Drinks Association described the proposed ban as unnecessary and not supported by robust evidence of overconsumption or harm, saying its members have not marketed energy drinks to under-16s since 2010 and that most caffeine consumed by children comes from other sources. Because the plan is still a proposal, the final scope, enforcement rules and start date will depend on the consultation outcome.
