Retailers should be banned from selling energy drinks to children, senior paediatricians say today.
There should also be minimum prices and education in schools about the drinks, according to the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
The college says the contents of drinks, such as caffeine, sugar, sweeteners and amino acids, as not necessary or beneficial for children.
Its proposals come in response to a government consultation on the substances after the paediatricians interviewed 200 teenagers and children about the drinks.
It found widespread use of energy drinks.
The college also wants “clear” rules on sponsorship of events.
College president Professor Russell Viner said: “Children and young people need to learn from an early age about their mental and physical health, importance of exercise and the impact food and drink they consume has on their body. We see evidenced based and expert led PSHE education delivered across all primary, secondary and free schools, being a crucial component to the curriculum.
“With this important addition, children and young people will be in a position, just as they are in relation to sexual health for example, to make an informed decision on issues that can have a huge impact on the rest of their life.”
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