SNP wants to ban energy drinks sales

SHOPS and supermarkets were yesterday urged by ministers to ban the sale of energy drinks to children.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell called on retailers to take ‘proactive steps’ to restrict their sale to under-16s.

She made the comments in support of a motion by Nationalist MSP Graeme Dey, which urged all retailers to introduce voluntary measures to restrict the sale of the high-sugar and caffeine drinks in order to take ‘positive steps toward improving the nation’s public health’.

One 500 millilitre (0.87pt) bottle can contain double the daily recommended maximum sugar intake for an adult.

Miss Campbell raised concerns about childhood obesity and said teachers were worried about the impact on pupils’ attainment.

She said: ‘A 2016 study looked at over 2,000 children and found that energy drink consumption was consistently associated with low school performance, so we are right to be concerned.

‘I am confident schools up and down the country are taking appropriate steps to tackle this issue, but of course this is only one part of the solution. Retailers around those schools must act responsibly.’

Mr Dey urged the Government to act, saying: ‘I believe there is an accompanying role here for government in further raising awareness of the detrimental impact of under-16s consuming these drinks, targeting the youthful consumers, their parents and the retailers.’

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is campaigning for action UK-wide and has backed Mr Dey’s efforts.