In new plans being drawn up by the Welsh Government all energy drinks will be banned from sale to anyone under 16 years of age.
Banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is just one of the ideas for limiting choice to cut the alleged rise in obesity.
The latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey says that young people aged between 11 and 18 years old are consuming up to three times the government's recommended maximum amount of sugar leading ministers to suggest the banning of energy drinks to cure the problem.
The English Public Health department restricted the sale of energy drinks to over 16s in 2019 following a study that suggested the soft drinks were not healthy. However, when you look at the study in detail it is vague, subjective and wholly unscientific. The study, which didn't use a control group, claimed that children who drink at least one energy drink per week are more likely to report symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems as well as low mood and irritability. Teenagers with low mood and irritability, who'd have ever thought it? Researchers also claimed they found evidence linking regular energy drink consumption with low educational engagement and are impacting students’ learning. Again, the evidence that this is down to a soft drink is absent but that doesn't stop it being reported as fact by the media.
Deputy minister for mental health Lynne Neagle said: “We want to hear people’s views on how we can support the nation to be healthier and to reduce the number of people who are obese or overweight." “Often, foods that are sugary or high in fat or salt are more readily available and promoted, making it harder for people to make the healthy choice."
“We know this is a difficult time for people with the growing cost of living crisis putting huge pressure on people financially."
“We need an open and frank conversation about how we can create a step change in our choices and behaviours. We are talking about reversing significant issues which have built up over generations in our food environment.”
A consultation launched on Thursday will ask people to give their thoughts on banning the sale of these soft drinks to young people, so consider it a done deal. No 'consultation' has ever resulted in a sitting government changing their plans.
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'Very Soon there will be Hundreds of Health Officials Claiming it was Your Own Choice' Robert Malone
