Under-16s Energy Drinks Ban

Lord John of Southwark Excerpts

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I hear the noble Baroness’s counsel but, as I said, we have committed to introduce the ban within this Parliament, as the Secretary of State said. He also said ideally sooner, if possible. I can confirm that all sellers, retailers and businesses of all sizes in England, including in-store and online sales, should be in scope of the ban.

[Lord John of Southwark (Lab)]

My Lords, in addition to the harms of energy drinks, the 156 cans of fizzy drink that the average child consumes in the UK each year can and do contribute to higher rates of childhood obesity and dental problems. With that in mind, will my noble friend the Minister commend the work of —would you believe—Southwark Council, which introduced the Fizz Free February public health programme in 2018, which has now been taken up in 25 other areas and aims to significantly reduce the consumption of fizzy drinks among children and young adults? Will she also explore ways in which Fizz Free February can be supported and introduced more widely across the country?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am very pleased to commend this initiative by Southwark Council. It was developed by the council’s public health team and is a good example of what local action can do. My noble friend talked about the extension of this initiative across the country. I very much support that. What struck me, having looked online at Fizz Free February, was the importance of the information that reminded us that more five to nine year-olds are hospitalised due to issues with their teeth than anything else. That is a very sobering thought.