Boots becomes latest retailer to ban the sale of energy drinks to under 16s
From Monday children under 16 will no longer be able to buy energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre at Boots stores
BOOTS will be banning the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16 as part of a continued crackdown on kids consuming too much sugar and caffeine.
The high street pharmacy will be the first shop that isn't a supermarket to ban the sale of sugary drinks to kids.
Starting from Monday anyone thought to be under 16 will have to provide ID to buy a high caffeine drink.
The super sugary drinks already have labels stating that they are not suitable for children but can still be purchased by minors at shops across the UK.
Drinks that will be banned at Boots include some flavours of Monster Energy Drink, Red Bull and Sunsoul
Major supermarkets such as Tesco, lidl and Asda have already taken the ban on board and refused to sell energy drinks to children.
One can of the popular Rockstar energy drink can contain between 14 and 16 teaspoons worth of sugar depending on the flavour.
The maximum daily intake of sugar for an 11 year old is seven tea spoons.
More than double the maximum amount for a child that age.
The NHS advises that children should avoid fizzy drinks completely.
more on money
This January Theresa May promised to look into banning fizzy drinks for under 18s
The PM's vow came after the tragic death of Justin Bartholomew, 25, who took his own life after drinking 15 cans of energy drink
Justin's family believe that the energy drinks heightened Justin's anxiety and contributed to his death.
The PM said at the time “We know that energy drinks high in sugar can be damaging to childrens’ health. We are supporting schools and parents to make healthier choices.”
Tv chef and children's health campaigner Jamie Oliver has said about Boot's fizzy drink ban.
"To see a health brand like Boots join the ban on energy drinks to under 16’s is brilliant."
"Our retailers are doing the right thing for the health of our children and now it’s time for government to step up, close the loop and implement a ban.
"We need a level playing field so we can protect ALL our kids from buying these drinks in ALL independent retailers.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.
Find Boots discount and offer codes with The Sun Vouchers