UK dentists back energy drink ban for under-16s

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 5. September 2025

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LONDON, England: The UK government has launched a 12-week consultation proposing a ban on sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. This initiative, part of its broader Plan for Change to improve public health and resilience, has garnered strong support from dentists and public health bodies, who see it as a crucial step in protecting children’s oral and overall health.

On Tuesday 2 September, the Department of Health and Social Care unveiled proposals to prohibit the sale of energy drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre to those under 16. The move covers all points of sale—shops, cafés, schools, vending machines and online retailers. Asserting that energy drinks are linked to poor sleep, diminished concentration and childhood obesity, the government estimates that the measure could potentially avert obesity in up to 40,000 children and save tens of millions in health costs. Speaking in a press release, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said: “Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration and well-being of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high-sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity. By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.”

Dental professionals have broadly welcomed the consultation, spotlighting the risk energy drinks pose to young people’s teeth. In their response to the initiative, the British Dental Association (BDA) highlighted that even sugar-free variants can erode enamel owing to their acidity. “Products that are habit-forming [and] highly acidic and can contain over 20 teaspoons of sugar have no place on the menu for children,” said BDA Chair Dr Eddie Crouch. “Our kids are growing up in a toxic food environment, and this boldness needs to be applied across the piece.”

Beyond this ban, the BDA continues to urge wider reforms. It advocates for faster government action, mandatory manufacturing guidelines and expansion of the sugar levy to further curb unhealthy food and drink consumption among children.

The energy drink ban is one piece of the government’s wider Plan for Change, which addresses systemic challenges in healthcare, including National Health Service dentistry. Although the plan frames healthcare reform as a key mission, dental advocates have criticised its lack of concrete commitments to dental services. However, efforts such as delivering 700,000 new urgent dental appointments in underserved areas this year demonstrate incremental progress. These appointments, scheduled from April, aim to alleviate pressure in dental deserts and improve access to urgent care.

The government’s proposed ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s marks a significant shift towards preventive health policy. Dentists fully support the move, though they emphasise that more extensive measures are needed to address the broader drivers of poor oral health. Situated within the Plan for Change, the consultation exemplifies a growing focus on prevention—not only in general health but also in addressing long-standing gaps in National Health Service dentistry provisions.