Under-16s Energy Drinks Ban

Lord McColl of Dulwich Excerpts

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I actually do not know the answer to that, so I cannot confirm it is the case, but I will certainly look into it. I take the noble Baroness’s point about caffeine. That is the problem here, but it is also right that we consider sugar intake.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that combating the obesity epidemic has been seriously impaired by a number of pseudo- scientists who have put forward the idea that obesity is inevitable and that we cannot do anything about it, so it must be government that does something about it? Does the Minister agree that there is only one cause of obesity and that is eating too much?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord always tempts me to agree with him. The causes of obesity are complex and include what people eat, how much they eat and who they are. It is the reason that the Government have taken on the responsibilities they can, such as restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, giving local councils stronger powers to block new fast food outlets, and announcing changes to the soft drinks industry levy. All these support people in making better choices.