A ban on sales of energy drinks to children in England is to be introduced amid growing concern about the impact that the high-caffeine, high-sugar drinks are having on young people's health. A consultation on how to implement the proposed ban has been unveiled, with Downing Street indicating that the principal question to be determined is whether the purchasing restrictions will apply at the age of 16 or 18. A Downing Street source added that introducing a ban was all but certain, saying: ‘It's a question not of whether we do it, but how.’

The principal justification for the ban is the high level of caffeine in the energy drinks which has been linked to health problems for children, including head and stomach aches, as well as hyperactivity and sleep problems. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains about 80mg of caffeine, roughly the same as a similarly sized cup of coffee, but three times the level of Coca-Cola. Monster Energy, which is often sold in larger cans of 500ml, contains 160mg of caffeine. Energy drinks often also have higher levels of sugar than soft drinks. According to government figures, sugared energy drinks have 60% more calories and 65% more sugar than normal soft drinks and sugar is one of the largest causes of obesity.

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