Children are getting 'far more caffeine from tea than energy drinks'

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said the proposals were “unscientific” and “discriminatory” - pointing out that many other beverages consumed by children contain more sugar and caffeine.  Video: Excessive energy drink habit causes heart attack in young man (Fox News) The proposals, drawn up in the last Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan, call for ban on all energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster, to all those under the age of 16. The report cites the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee which concluded “the current scientific evidence alone is not sufficient to justify a measure as prohibitive as a statutory ban on the sale of energy drinks to children.” The report shows that there is less sugar in a can of Red Bull than in a can of Pepsi. Christopher Snowdon, author of ‘Vox Pop’ and IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics, said: “Banning the sale of energy drinks to minors is not justified by scientific evidence and would be discriminatory and disproportionate. “The government is not proposing a ban on the sale of drinks which have a higher caffeine or sugar content – and nor should it – so it is hard to see how a ban on one particular type of beverage can be justified.” “Placing an age restriction on energy drinks would put them in the same category as alcohol and fireworks, products which pose a demonstrable risk to users and those around them.