The government has confirmed that new laws banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s will come into force by April 2027.
The announcement follows a public consultation launched in September 2025 and renewed pressure from dental and health organisations calling for action on children’s oral and general health. Nine in 10 consultation respondents agreed with the government’s proposal for an age-based energy drink ban.
BDA chair Eddie Crouch described the ban as a ‘a victory for common sense’. He said: ‘Packed with sugar and highly acidic, dentists have seen the damage energy drinks do every day. The result is children struggling to eat, to sleep and to learn.’
In June, the British Dental Association noted that it had been 700 days since the government first pledged to end the sale of energy drinks to children in July 2024. A coalition of leading health organisations, academics, youth campaigners and celebrities came together to urge the government to take action.
Celebrity chef and child health campaigner Jamie Oliver said: ‘I genuinely can’t believe we’re still having to talk about this. The government promised to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, yet here we are – two years and 280 million cans consumed by kids later – and nothing.
‘Come on, Prime Minister. Put kids first. Keep your promise.’
What evidence is there to support the energy drink ban?
Previous research has found extensive harm caused to young people who consume energy drinks. For example, they were more likely to engage in binge drinking, smoking and other substance abuse, and other unsafe behaviours. They also had a higher risk of heart disease, allergies, insulin resistance and mental health problems.
Barbara Crowther, children’s food campaigner, said: ‘The decision to ban sales of high caffeine energy drinks to children is absolutely right, given strong evidence of their harmful effects on their physical, mental and dental health, and overwhelming public support including parents, young people, health professionals, teachers and food retailers.
‘We look forward to seeing legislation laid before Parliament at the earliest opportunity, to meet the April 2027 deadline.’
Age restrictions on energy drinks are currently in place in Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey and Sweden. Though not officially supported by law, sale of energy drinks to children is also discouraged in the US and Spain.
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