Dental experts hail UK energy drink ban for under-16s as major oral health victory

LONDON: The United Kingdom has confirmed that new legislation banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 will come into force by April 2027, a move welcomed by dental professionals and public health experts as a major step towards protecting children’s oral and general health. The announcement follows a government public consultation launched in September 2025, during which around nine in 10 respondents supported introducing an age-based restriction on energy drink sales. The decision comes after sustained campaigning by the British Dental Association (BDA), health organisations, academics and child health advocates, who argued that energy drinks are contributing to rising levels of tooth decay and other preventable health problems among young people. Dentists welcome long-awaited decision The BDA described the government’s confirmation as an important public health milestone. BDA Chair Eddie Crouch called the ban “a victory for common sense,” saying dentists witness the harmful effects of energy drinks on children every day. He said the drinks are high in sugar and highly acidic, contributing to tooth decay and enamel erosion while also affecting children’s ability to eat, sleep and concentrate. The BDA had repeatedly urged ministers to act after the government first pledged in 2024 to introduce restrictions on energy drink sales to children. Health concerns extend beyond oral health Although dental damage has been a central concern, research has linked frequent energy drink consumption among children and adolescents to a range of wider health risks. Studies cited by campaigners associate excessive consumption with poor sleep quality, anxiety, increased sedentary behaviour, obesity, insulin resistance and greater likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behaviours, including smoking, binge drinking and substance misuse. Because these drinks often combine high sugar levels, caffeine and acidity, experts say they can have a particularly harmful impact on developing teeth while also affecting physical and mental wellbeing. Campaigners say children deserve stronger protection Celebrity chef and child health campaigner Jamie Oliver, who has long advocated for tougher regulation, welcomed the government’s decision after repeatedly calling for action. Children’s food campaigner Barbara Crowther also described the planned legislation as the right response to growing scientific evidence and overwhelming public support. She urged the government to introduce the legislation promptly to ensure the April 2027 implementation deadline is met. Part of a wider international trend The UK joins a growing number of countries introducing age restrictions on energy drinks. According to campaigners, Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey and Sweden already have legal restrictions on sales to children, while retailers in countries such as the United States and Spain have adopted voluntary measures discouraging sales to minors. Public health experts say limiting children’s access to high-caffeine energy drinks could help reduce preventable oral diseases while supporting healthier dietary habits during adolescence. For dental professionals, the decision represents an important preventive measure that complements wider efforts to reduce sugar consumption, improve oral health literacy and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among children and young people. Stay informed, stay ahead! pk/17-Jul-2026/uk-energy-drink-ban-under-16s-dentists-oral-health-victory” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>Read full story on Dental News