Commenting on the announcement that the Government intends to move ahead with the introduction of a planned ban on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s, 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. It has been more than two years since Kier Starmer pledged that a Labour Government would act to ban access to energy drinks for children and young people and restrictions are long overdue.

“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.

“Our research shows that excessive consumption of energy drinks by pupils is currently the single biggest substance-related concern reported by teachers and school leaders, outweighing concerns about cannabis, alcohol and other harmful substances.

“More than seven in ten teachers and school leaders have told us they are worried about pupils consuming energy drinks in school, with a similar proportion concerned about their use outside school. Among secondary teachers, the concern is even greater. 85% reported that they are worried about pupils consuming energy drinks during the school day.

“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 in order to successfully drive down consumption of these drinks among children and young people.”