Clevedon Headteacher backs Energy Drink Ban but calls for more Education
Jim Smith says high-caffeine drinks are disrupting pupils’ sleep, focus and behaviour.
A Somerset headteacher has welcomed the government’s ban on selling high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, but says more needs to be done to educate young people about the risks.
Jim Smith, headteacher at Clevedon School, said staff regularly see the impact of energy drinks in the classroom, with pupils struggling to concentrate, becoming agitated, or suffering from disrupted sleep.
“We see the effect it has on young people in schools,” he said. “That includes disrupted sleep patterns, inability to learn, and agitated behaviour when they’re coming down off the energy high. There’s no doubt the impact of energy drinks in school is worthy of attention.”
The new ban, which came into force yesterday, follows growing evidence that energy drinks are harmful to children’s health and learning. Some contain the equivalent caffeine of up to three double espressos.
Mr Smith said he supports the move but believes education must play a key role alongside regulation.
“We welcome the attempt to regulate the industry,” he said. “But as well as banning, we also need to make sure young people have the benefits of education around these products, so they can make informed decisions for themselves.”
Teachers at Clevedon have observed pupils experiencing “highs and lows” from energy drinks, including afternoon energy slumps and tiredness from late-night consumption. Mr Smith said their low cost and sweet flavours make them particularly accessible to young people.
Despite describing the ban as a positive step, he warned against “double standards,” pointing out that adults also rely on caffeine for a boost. But he added that the strength and availability of energy drinks made them inappropriate for children.
“They’ve got the equivalent caffeine of two or three double espressos... that’s just not appropriate for a young person to have,” he said.