Commenting on the announcement that the Government intends to ban 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 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.

“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.”