Nerys Evans MS, Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
Today, I am launching a consultation on proposals for the implementation and enforcement of legislative restrictions on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 in Wales. The consultation is an important next step in considering how restrictions could be implemented and enforced in Wales.
The latest evidence suggests a link between consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks and negative health outcomes in children. This includes increased frequency of headaches, irritation, tiredness and stomach aches, reduced sleep duration and quality and increased risk of stress, anxiety and depression.
The previous Welsh Government consulted and gathered evidence on proposals to restrict the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, with broad support for action. Having considered the evidence and responses to that earlier consultation, the current Welsh Government intends to take forward proposals to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, subject to the outcome of this consultation. These are drinks, other than tea or coffee, that contain over 150mg of caffeine per litre.
The consultation launched today seeks views on the proposed enforcement framework, including online age-verification arrangements, assessing compliance activity, sanctions, implementation timescales and monitoring arrangements.
To support consistency and minimise burdens on businesses, the proposed enforcement framework broadly aligns with the approach being taken by the UK Government to legislation banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 in England, while reflecting Welsh enforcement arrangements. The proposals include local authority food authorities being responsible for enforcement, a proportionate and compliance-focused approach, and the availability of fixed monetary penalties as an alternative to criminal prosecution for breach of restrictions inappropriate cases.
This represents an important step in helping to create healthier food environments for children and young people in Wales. By reducing children's access to high-caffeine energy drinks, the policy aims to support improvements in health and wellbeing and contribute to wider efforts to reduce health inequalities.
The consultation responses will help inform final decisions on whether and how the proposals are taken forward, including the detailed implementation and enforcement arrangements.
Officials will continue to work closely with businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that clear guidance and support materials are available before any legislation comes into force.