Children under the age of 16 will be banned from buying high-caffeine energy drinks in England from April 2027 under new government legislation aimed at improving young people's health.
The restrictions will apply to shops, vending machines and online retailers, with businesses that break the law facing fines of up to £2,500. The legislation, which still requires parliamentary approval, will cover drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, excluding tea and coffee.
The government said the move was intended to reduce children's access to products linked to anxiety, sleep disruption, poor concentration and lower educational performance.
Ministers estimate that around 100,000 children in England consume high-caffeine energy drinks every day, with consumption highest among children living in more deprived communities.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the evidence showed the drinks could have a harmful impact on children's physical and mental wellbeing, adding that the ban formed part of the government's ambition to create "the healthiest generation of children ever".
Education Minister Olivia Bailey said limiting access to the drinks would help pupils remain healthier and better able to concentrate in school. She said the measure would complement wider reforms to school food standards.
Retailers will be responsible for checking customers' ages, while local authorities will oversee enforcement of the new rules.
The decision follows a public consultation held between September and November 2025, which received 1,095 responses from businesses, health organisations, local authorities and members of the public. The government said there was strong backing for introducing an age restriction.
Health organisations welcomed the announcement. The Obesity Health Alliance described the ban as a "vital step" to protect children's health, citing evidence linking high-caffeine drinks to anxiety, poor sleep and reduced concentration.
The Children's Food Campaign at Sustain also backed the legislation, saying it was supported by parents, teachers, health professionals and retailers. Campaigners urged ministers to ensure the law is approved in time for its planned introduction in April 2027.
Youth campaign group Bite Back said energy drinks had become commonplace among schoolchildren and argued that restricting sales would help improve young people's wellbeing.
The Association of Directors of Public Health said the ban would particularly benefit children in disadvantaged communities, where consumption rates are highest and the health impacts are often greatest.
The energy drinks legislation is part of a wider government strategy to improve children's health. Other measures include extending the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, introducing supervised toothbrushing programmes for three to five-year-olds in deprived areas, and tightening restrictions on the promotion and advertising of less healthy foods aimed at children. Photo by AlienFood, Wikimedia commons.
