The Government is set to ban the sale of energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull to children aged under 16, reports say.
The plans were leaked in a letter sent to the Sun newspaper, in which health secretary Matt Hancock reportedly wrote: "Following a high level of interest in the consultation, we plan on announcing that we will be ending the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16."
The move - Mr Hancock reportedly wrote is a "precautionary approach to mitigate the potential negative effects associated with their excessive consumption by children ".
It follows a consultation into the potential health issues children can develop by drinking high-caffeine beverages.
It is legal for children to buy drinks with a caffeine content higher than 150mg per litre, although the packaging must carry a warning label stating they are not recommended for children.
The Government says "recent evidence shows that more than two thirds of UK children aged 10-17, and nearly a quarter of those aged 6-9, are energy drink consumers."
Last year, major supermarkets voluntarily agreed to only sell the drinks to customers 16 or over. Asda, Aldi, the Co-op, Lidl, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose will ask for ID if the customers looks under 16.
In Newcastle, the council asked businesses to implement a voluntary ban on the sale of high-caffeine drinks to those under 16, following concerns from teachers and health professionals about the impact excessive caffeine consumption has on children.
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