Home Bargains back Dingwall parents’ energy drink voluntary ban push for under 16s
A MAJOR retailer in Ross-shire’s county town has backed a local campaign to introduce a voluntary ban on sales of high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s.
The agreement of Home Bargains to back the Dingwall Academy Parent Council bid was welcomed today by local MSP Kate Forbes, who is supportive of the campaign.
The Parent Council wants local retailers to stop selling high-caffeine beverages to young people due to concerns about their impact on children's health, concentration and behaviour in school.
SEE ALSO
Dingwall parents win backing of MSP in energy drinks push
Kate Forbes MSP said: "I'm delighted that Home Bargains has listened to the concerns of parents and taken this responsible step to protect young people's health and wellbeing.
"Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine which can harm developing brains and disrupt learning. This decision is a demonstration of real leadership, and will help protect pupils' health, and support better outcomes in the classroom.
"I want to thank Dingwall Academy Parent Council for their campaign on this issue, and Home Bargains for taking swift action in implementing the ban."
Karen O'Hanlon, chair of Dingwall Academy Parent Council, commented: “We’re really pleased that Home Bargains has chosen to introduce a voluntary age restriction on high-caffeine energy drinks. This is a very positive step and shows real leadership as a responsible retailer.
"As parents and carers, our concern has always been about the impact of these drinks on young people’s health and wellbeing.
“Energy drinks are heavily marketed and easily available, and many parents and carers have deep concerns regarding how they can affect sleep, concentration, and behaviour.
"While we were disappointed at first that our initial request wasn’t accepted, we’re delighted that Home Bargains has listened and decided to act.
“We hope other local retailers will now follow their example, so there’s a consistent approach across all shops in the Dingwall Academy catchment area and beyond.
"Ultimately, we’d like to see a national ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, in line with the policy being introduced in England. Until then, voluntary action like this makes a real difference in protecting young people in our community.”
Ms Forbes earlier wrote to Dingwall retailers supporting Dingwall Academy Parent Council's campaign calling for a voluntary under-16 sales ban on high-caffeine energy drinks.
In correspondence with Ms Forbes, Home Bargains confirmed that the company would introduce an age restriction of 16 years for energy drinks containing at least 150mg of caffeine per litre.