Charity would support UK-style energy drinks ban

The UK has proposed a ban on energy drink sales to under 16s

A Guernsey health charity said it would support a UK-style ban on energy drinks for under 16s if the States decided to introduce one.

Alex Kosmas, from the Health Improvement Commission (HIC), said the States would not necessarily introduce a similar ban "straight away".

However, he said if the States chose to introduce one, HIC would be willing to work with stakeholders including Public Health, retailers and parents to "introduce something like this".

Mr Kosmas said consumption of energy drinks had "dropped off over the past few years" but a small minority of young people were still at risk from them.

Alex Kosmas said there was no "safe upper limit" for children's caffeine intake

He said caffeine could affect children's "mental capacity" to do tasks like concentrating, focussing in lessons and could lead to mood swings.

The recommended maximum amount of caffeine for adults is 400mg a day, about the same as four instant coffees, but for children there was no "safe upper limit".

He said there was research suggesting caffeine could also have negative impacts on young children's development, including their bone growth because caffeine affected calcium absorption.

Mr Kosmas said restrictions in other countries, such as Norway, had a "positive impact".

Caffeine: How do popular drinks compare?

The UK government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under 16 from buying energy drinks from shops, cafes, vending machines and online.

Up to a third of children in the UK are thought to drink one or more a week, despite many supermarkets having introduced a voluntary ban.

Some popular drinks contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee.

A 12-week consultation will now gather evidence from health and education experts as well as the public, retailers and manufacturers.

No official date has been set for the ban, but it will come in "a lot sooner" than the end of this Parliament, according to Wes Streeting, the UK's health and social care secretary.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering a ban.