Welsh Conservatives attack proposals to ‘ban’ the sale of tea and coffee to under 16s
Tory MS James Evans is warning that the Welsh Government is planning to “ban” the sale of tea and coffee to under 16s and is urging people to contribute to the public consultation on the proposals which closes this week.
The Healthy Food Environment and Energy Drink consultation is seeking feedback on the government’s plans to combat obesity include limiting hot food takeaways near schools and ending the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16.
The consultation also asks whether measures to restrict the sale of energy drinks “should be widened to consider other drinks typically high in caffeine such as tea and coffee”.
Ludicrous
“Any attempts to ban tea and coffee are simply ludicrous and should never be under consideration,” Mr Evans, the Shadow Mental Health Minister said.
“Not only is tea a staple of our British identity and the coffee market an important part of our high street economy but, it beggars belief that this could be considered beneficial to the public.
“Yet this is the Labour Government that puts a tourism tax and creating more politicians ahead of fixing the NHS backlog and growing the lowest wages in Britain.
“I urge people to answer this consultation and make Labour stop this ban before it delegitimises sensible aspects of the plan.”
The Welsh Government launched its Healthy Food Environment and Energy Drink consultations in June, and people have until September 1 to have their say on the plans.
In Wales, approximately 1.6 million adults are overweight and 655,000 people are obese.
In addition, more than one in four of children in Wales are overweight or obese when they start primary school.
It is estimated obesity costs the NHS £6.1 billion per year across the UK.
Barriers
Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, said the government’s new strategy is about “removing the barriers that prevent or put people off from making healthier food and drink choices
“Often, foods that are sugary or high in fat or salt are more readily available and promoted – this must change if we are to reduce obesity in our country. This is an open and frank conversation about how we can create a step change in our choices and behaviors.”
The latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey also shows that young people aged between 11 -18 years consume up to three times the recommended maximum amount of sugar.
The Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy includes proposals on banning the sale of energy drinks to young people under 16 to reduce the amount of sugar they consume.
Some energy drinks have 21 teaspoons of sugar and the same caffeine as three cups of coffee.
Research shows that children who drink at least one energy drink per week are more likely to report symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems and stomach problems as well as low mood and irritability, while regular energy drink consumption has also been linked with low educational engagement.
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I never thought I would agree with a Tory – but if true its bonkers !
It’s not true though. It’s demonstrably not true: IT IS A CONSULTATION.
First time for a lot of us Dewi ……coffee or Tea better than booze 🥃 for that age ….. gosh 😅 im starting to sound like a Tory 🤔
You are aware this is a misrepresentation of the facts, a typical tory ploy, don’t fall for their BS, The PUBLIC consultation actually states, IT WILL NOT AFFECT TEA OR COFFEE.
This proposal will not stop a youngster having a cup of tea for breakfast or even buying a cup of tea at a cafe on the way to school. The proposed legislation is attempting to stop youngsters from drinking energy drinks that have huge amounts of sugar and large amounts of caffeine. A recently aired consumer affairs programme on TV interviewed teachers and students about the impact of high caffeine drinks. Those interviewed reported youngsters (including those that drink the energy drinks) who consume these energy drinks find themselves addicted to the product and need top ups to stop themselves… Read more »
The English Tory government in 2019 announced it would ban energy drinks to children under the age of 16. Research showed that over consumption leads to poor health and education outcomes. Their consultation in 2018 found that a quarter of children who consume energy drinks will have three or more in one sitting.
It is about energy drinks not cups of tea and coffee, so there is no reason to agree with the Tories.
PS They still have not delivered on their promise to deal with this threat to the health of English kids.
An AS whose Westminster party has already put through the internal market act and the policing and crime act, and is trying to put through the schools bill, is concerned about a consultation mentioning tea and coffee. Weird.
You missed a bit. An AM who strenuously objects to free school meals for primary school kids is against WAG even asking the opinion of the public.
Kerry see your direction here but two wrongs don’t make a “ right “ ( no pun intended)
‘Plans to combat obesity’ ought to start at the Senedd, there’s quite a few porkers there.
Maybe they should set an example.
What do you expect when having one’s snout in any old trough is the highlight of their day !
I find it strange that I agree with a Tory MS, and also agree with the ban on watching TV, sorry, dont let the fact I failed to mention, watching adverts for gambling on TV before 9 PM, so let’s not let the facts get in the way of what this geezer us trying to promote. It is a consultation, and asking for our views, but we all know how the Tory’s like to present our Govs attempts to consult with the population as some kind of dictatorship. There is no proposed ban, but he well knows this.
Welcome to the New Truths
Democracy is when Westminster, elected by FPTP dominated by English votes, imposes rules unilaterally on Wales
Dictatorship is when the Senedd, elected proportionally by Welsh voters, consults on laws in Wales
Tory scaremongering!!
A move right out of the far right Trump play book. Mis represent the facts, lie, then call it an ” alternative truth”, and act as though nothing misleading has happened and you are being totally honest, as far as you know, and to be ‘ my inderstanding” of what was said by the opposition party. Sleight of hand snake oil salesman at his best.
When you have clowns like this trying to create the narrative, is it any wonder people are getting fed up with their lies.
i) Government’s shouldn’t want a reputation for overusing bans – they need to be used with target in mind making sure outcomes can be measured ii) It’s important to fill in surveys otherwise small selection of population have too much of a say on matters and therefore this article should include link to survey in question: Welsh Government launches Healthy Food Environment consultation – foodsensewales.org.uk iii) Allowing young people to drink tea because it’s British is such a weak reason. What age do most people start drinking tea/coffee, and why, versus harms of drink such drinks is the question to… Read more »
Can one of the journalists working for N.C ask this politician why he is lying about what this consultation says, it states very clearly that a ban would not affect tea or coffee. Why are these fraudsters allowed to get away with their lies all the time, tory scum.
Increasingly pointless Tories focussing on the big issues as usual 🙄
Masters of misinformation works well when you have not got a clue what to do in any situation
I am starting to get sorry for my English neighbours who readily swallow everything they are told without question
Remember the anti Europe brigade in the 80’s going on about the EU planning to ban bent Bananas? Nothing changes. Welcome to the tory spin factory.