Open letter to the press on energy drinks ban

Today marks exactly 700 days since the Government pledged to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children in the 2024 Kings Speech.

In response to this still not being implemented, we have signed an open letter to the press, organised by the Obesity Health Alliance, calling for an immediate ban to help protect our children from the harms of these products.

In the letter, which has been signed by leading health organisations, academics, youth campaigners, and celebrity chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Bite Back, Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, Action on Salt & Sugar, and the British Dental Association, we have raised concern that the failure to bring forward this legislation is having a significant negative effect on children’s health and wellbeing, and their educational attainment.

Welcoming the letter, Sarah Muckle, ADPH Policy Co-Lead for Children and Young People, and Director of Public Health for Essex County Council, said:

“Since the Government first launched its consultation on banning the sale of energy drinks to children, more than 280 million have been sold.

“These drinks have significant consequences for children’s physical and mental health, including tooth decay, sleep disruption, increasing anxiety, and increasing their risk of high blood pressure, and yet they continue to be heavily promoted to our children through clever marketing and advertising tactics, backed by million-pound industry budgets.

“It is crucial that the ban is implemented without any further delay to protect our children from these harms, giving them the freedom to enjoy a healthier life.”