A BAN on selling energy drinks to under-16s, set to begin in from April next year, was welcomed by teaching union NASUWT on Friday.

The measure covers sales in shops, vending machines and online of beverages containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, but will not include tea and coffee.

Lower-caffeine soft drinks – such as Coca‑Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero, Diet Coke and Pepsi – are not affected but drinks including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime would all breach the limit.

NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said that the “restrictions are long overdue,” adding: “Teachers and school leaders continue to see first-hand on a daily basis the contribution energy drinks can make to poor pupil behaviour and ability to concentrate in class.

“More than seven in 10 teachers and school leaders have told us they are worried about pupils consuming energy drinks in school, with a similar proportion concerned about their use outside school. 

“Among secondary teachers, the concern is even greater.

“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, in order to successfully drive down consumption of these drinks among children and young people.”

Retailers will be responsible for ensuring the drinks are not sold to under-16s and businesses that fail to do so face fines of up to £2,500.

Around 100,000 children are thought to consume at least one high-caffeine energy drink every day.

The new rules will come in via secondary legislation using powers from the Food Safety Act 1990, with the ban itself coming into force in April 2027, subject to parliamentary approval.