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[Shereefah]

It was previously reported that a primary school pupil had been hospitalized with heart problems after consuming a Prime Energy drink.

The kid had to have their stomach pumped after suffering a "cardiac episode". Milton Primary School in Newport, Wales, issued a warning to parents following the incident, which occurred outside the school at the weekend.

The Prime drinks brand has become very popular among young people after being promoted by social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI. Videos have been posted online of supermarkets swamped by crowds emptying shelves after supplies have run out.

The sale of energy drink to under-16s will be banned under plans being considered by the Labor Party.

Drastic measures are being considered due to concerns about the impact on children's health and education. The drinks may contain high levels of caffeine and a lot of sugar. Research suggests that excessive consumption by children is linked to headaches, sleep problems, irritation and tiredness. According to evidence, regular alcohol consumption by children can lead to poor performance and bad behavior in school.

A study published last month also suggested they could increase the risks of anxiety, stress and suicidal thoughts. Up to a third of children in the UK consume caffeinated energy drinks every week, and children are more likely to buy them. Products like Prime Energy, Monster and Rockstar have become increasingly popular. Most supermarkets have introduced a voluntary ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s. But parents and teachers have expressed concerns about how they can easily be purchased at corner shops on the way to school. A total ban on sales to under-16s was proposed in 2019, but ministers took no action. Countries such as Latvia and Lithuania have already banned the sale of energy drinks to children.

A can of Rockstar contains 200 mg of caffeine, Monster contains 160 mg, and Prime Energy contains 140 mg. This is about double the approximately 80 mg found in a cup of coffee. The Labor Party discussed the idea of banning sales to under-16s as it drew up its election manifesto.

More than 40 organizations and health experts, including the Children's Food Campaign, wrote to both Health Minister Victoria Atkins and her Labor counterpart Wes Streeting last month calling for a ban to be urgently introduced. Signatories to the letter include the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the British Dental Association, Diabetes UK and the British Medical Association.

Barbara Crowther, of the Children's Food Campaign, said: "Energy drink companies should not be allowed to increase their profits at the expense of children's health. Five years ago the government said it would ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, but in reality it did not do so. All evidence indicates that these overly caffeinated drinks are harmful to children's health.

"This measure enjoys the strong support of supermarkets, who are already voluntarily limiting sales to children. To adequately protect children, it is necessary to completely ban them in all outlets. The physical and mental harms of these drinks are increasingly evident. , It's time to act."

Teachers' unions have spoken out about the role energy drinks can play in student misbehavior and how they pose a barrier to learning. NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach said last night: "Energy drinks are readily available legal drugs and their use among young people should be banned.

"Teachers see every day how high levels of these stimulants influence bad behavior in the classroom. Use by adolescents may also increase the risk of poor school performance, sleep problems, and concentration and behavior problems. Although the government announced a ban in 2019, it never saw the light of day. "The ban on energy drinks is long overdue."

Sales of sports and energy drinks continue to grow, with £2.2 billion in 2023, up 21.6% on the previous year.

Reference: Mirror News

[Mafy]

I think they should mandate the producers of those drinks to reduce the amount of the unhealthy substances therein instead of banning. Who says excess consumption can not affect adult too?

Besides, they might be closing some businesses, which will affect the staff and the economy.

[Ruthk]

It's a good idea since it's affecting them. If Labour is not just saying this for the sake of political campaign.