Under-16s energy drink ban is closer

A BAN on energy drinks for under-16s moved closer yesterday as MPs started to investigate their health impact.

The Science and Technology Committee met for the first time to hear from health experts and teachers about the harmful effects. School sale-exclusion zones, clearer alerts on cans and advert curbs have been mooted.

The hearing follows a Mirror campaign, with chef Jamie Oliver, to change the law. Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics, said of a ban: “We would have children with better wellbeing, who are better slept, more productive at school and, because of the linked sugar, likely to be less obese.”