England is cracking down on energy drink sales to minors, with plans to ban high-caffeine beverages like Red Bull for anyone under 16. Health Minister Wes Streeting called it a move to protect kids' well-being and academic performance: "How can we expect A+ grades when they’re buzzing from a double espresso’s worth of caffeine daily?" ☕💥
Nearly 1 in 3 teens aged 13-16 currently consume these drinks despite most supermarkets already restricting sales voluntarily. The government argues stricter rules are needed to combat sleep issues, poor concentration, and obesity linked to sugary, high-caffeine products.
A 12-week consultation launches today, gathering input from health experts, retailers, and parents. Current regulations require warning labels on drinks with over 150mg of caffeine per liter, but Streeting says "voluntary measures haven’t gone far enough." 🛑
Teachers and parents have long raised alarms about energy drink-fueled classroom disruptions. With this ban, England joins countries like Lithuania and Latvia in treating energy drinks like age-restricted products. Will this be the end of lunchtime caffeine runs for Gen Z? 📚🚷
