SHOPS will be banned from selling energy drinks to children under the age of 16 under plans being put out to consultation.
The Scottish Government said it wanted to take “proportionate action” to reduce the health risks to young people.
Regularly drinking energy drinks, which contain more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre, has been linked to headaches, stomach aches and sleep problems.
Research suggests up to a third of youngsters consume them frequently or in large amounts – with 11 per cent drinking energy drinks daily and some having three or more in one sitting.
Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Sleep is particularly important for the health and wellbeing of adolescents and poor sleep can negatively affect physical and mental health, as well as educational attainment.
“I welcome the leadership shown by many retailers and publicly funded leisure centres in banning the sales of energy drinks to under 16s.
“This builds on regulations in place in schools and hospitals.
“We want to take proportionate action to reduce the health risks associated with young people consuming ‘energy drinks’ with artificially high levels of caffeine, and responses to this consultation will inform decisions on whether a mandatory sales age restriction of 16 is appropriate and if so, how best to implement the ban.”
Other countries have already introduced age restrictions on energy drinks.
In Latvia, Lithuania and Turkey there is a mandatory age restriction of 18, while in Sweden sales are banned to under 15s.
The UK Government intends to implement a mandatory age restriction of 16 in England, while Wales is also looking at restrictions.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said it has "consistently supported a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under 16s as it is in line with our long-standing Code of Practice".
He added: “Energy drinks and their ingredients have been deemed safe by regulatory authorities around the world.
"Our members do not market or promote energy drinks to under 16s, nor do they sample products with this age group.
"In addition, energy drinks carry an advisory note stating ‘Not recommended for children.’
"We remain committed to supporting the responsible sale of energy drinks.”
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