Independent shops back ban on energy drinks to under-16s

CAN IT: Conference agrees tight controls are desirable

Independent Scots shopkeepers are being encouraged to stop selling energy drinks to children as momentum in support of stricter controls on the caffeine-packed products gathers pace.

A national conference saw unanimous backing for independent retailers to be encouraged to bring in a policy of refusing to sell the drinks to under-16s and the message will be promoted through posters highlighting the ban.

It follows a call for Holyrood to begin work on drafting a plan for the drinks to be removed from publicly-funded buildings, as well as being outlawed for under-16s.

The moves come almost two years after The Courier launched its Can It campaign following an Angus head teacher’s decision to ban them completely from his school.

Delegates at the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) Scottish conference in Inverness unanimously agreed members should be encouraged to adopt the tight controls.

Scottish president Rory O’brien said: “Our members in Scotland pride themselves on retailing responsibly so banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is a logical next step.” NFRN’S Aberdeen branch executive put forward the motion seeking support for “the principle of a voluntary ban on sales of high energy drinks labelled as being unsuitable for children to under 16s and recommends all members be made aware of the dangers of such products to young people”. Aberdeen branch member Jim Maitland said: “We hope that through the adoption of a voluntary ban by NFRN members in Scotland, the need for the introduction of yet another piece of legislation for small retailers to worry about will be avoided.”

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Steve Macdougall. Pupils at Braeview Academy in Dundee have looked into the effects of energy drinks.