Ministers have announced proposals to prevent anyone under 16 in England from buying energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Prime. The restriction, which would cover shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online sales, follows mounting concern from parents and teachers about the health risks these drinks pose to young people. Although many supermarkets already enforce voluntary age limits, surveys suggest up to a third of children in the UK still consume them weekly.

Energy drinks often contain extremely high levels of caffeine – in some cases more than double the amount found in two cups of coffee. Experts warn that over-consumption can lead to sleep problems, headaches and, in rare cases, dangerous heart rhythms or seizures. The sugary varieties also raise risks of tooth decay and obesity. The Association of UK Dieticians has urged families to be cautious, while paediatric specialists argue the drinks have “no place” in children’s diets.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the move was essential to protect children’s wellbeing, stressing that the government had been urged to act by schools, parents and young people themselves. A 12-week consultation will now gather views from medical professionals, retailers and the public before legislation is finalised. Streeting indicated the ban would be introduced well before the end of the current parliament.

Campaigners highlight that young people are especially vulnerable, with energy drinks marketed through bright packaging, influencers and flavours designed to appeal to teenagers. Critics in the soft drinks industry argue that manufacturers already impose voluntary restrictions, but health leaders insist compulsory regulation is necessary to curb long-term harm. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also weighing similar measures.

A patient safety initiative known as Martha’s Rule will now be introduced across all acute hospitals in England. The scheme, designed to give families a direct route to request urgent second opinions, was created in memory of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died at King’s College Hospital in London after her parents’ concerns went unheard.

Since its pilot launch in April 2024, the dedicated helpline has logged almost 5,000 calls. NHS England figures show the service has already had a major impact, with 241 cases judged to have led to potentially life-saving changes. In many instances, calls resulted in new treatments, quicker investigations or the resolution of communication breakdowns between staff and relatives.

Martha’s mother, journalist Merope Mills, marked what would have been her daughter’s 18th birthday by welcoming the expansion. She described the data as proof of both the scheme’s effectiveness and the need for a “more equal doctor–patient relationship.” However, she emphasised the importance of extending the system beyond England, particularly in maternity services, where failures to listen to families have been repeatedly highlighted.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the determination of Martha’s family and said he would share results with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While Wales is developing a similar programme, and Scotland is piloting local schemes, Northern Ireland has not yet committed to introducing the initiative. A full evaluation of Martha’s Rule is underway, with future plans to consider its use in mental health, community care and long-term treatment settings.