The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has highlights the need for a longer, 12-month implementation period on the proposed ban of energy drinks to under-16s in England.
Part of its response to the government’s consultatio, it called for a longer implementation period to ensure retailers and customers are prepared for any changes.
Under the proposals - first announced in September - drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre would be illegal for sale to anyone aged under 16. Tea, coffee and lower caffeine soft drinks are not set to be affected by the plans.
In the Government’s consultation, the Department of Health and Social Care proposed a six-month implementation period for all stakeholders to prepare for the ban.
The response from the ACS instead recommends a 12-month implementation period, to give enough time to make consumers aware of the change, allow enforcement authorities to plan their activity around compliance, and train staff on the new policies required.
ACS polling of independent retailers in 2022 showed 80% already had some form of voluntary policy in place to restrict the sale of energy drinks to young people. High caffeine soft drinks are currently labelled as ‘not recommended for children’, but to date there is no legal restriction in place on these products.
“It’s essential we have sufficient time to effectively communicate the details of additional age restrictions on energy drinks…”
ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “Our members have a longstanding track record of enforcing age restricted sales on different products, but it’s essential we have sufficient time to effectively communicate the details of additional age restrictions on energy drinks to consumers and colleagues to avoid the risk of confrontation in stores.”
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