England’s Under‑16 Energy Drink Ban: Practical Guidance for Parents, Schools, and Clinicians
England plans to prohibit sales of high‑caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, responding to concerns about sleep disruption, reduced concentration, classroom behaviour, and potential cardiovascular and neurological effects. The proposal would align age‑of‑sale rules with existing warning labels and long‑standing voluntary supermarket policies, restricting under‑16s’ access in shops, cafés, restaurants, vending machines, and online. A substantial minority of UK children consume energy drinks weekly, and teachers and clinicians report downstream problems from poor sleep to irritability and headaches. While most evidence is observational and does not establish causality, the policy aims to reduce exposure to high‑dose caffeine during critical developmental years. This article explains what the ban covers and when it could take effect, synthesizes the health evidence, and offers actionable guidance for parents, schools, and clinicians. We translate labels and caffeine equivalents into practical advice, flag clinical red flags and risk stratification considerations, and outline implementation issues for retailers and communities. We also indicate where evidence is strong, where it is limited, and what research questions remain.