A Tory MP today demanded a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under 16s after one of her constituents died after developing a 15 can-a-day addiction.
Scaffolder Justin Bartholomew, 25, drank vast quantities of the caffeine-packed drinks as he marriage failed.
He killed himself after developing anxiety which his family partly blamed on his energy drink habit.
Today Ms Caulfield, the MP for Lewes, urged the Prime Minister to tighten up laws round the sale of the drinks.
Maria Caulfield, the MP for Lewes (pictured in the Commons today), urged the Prime Minister to tighten up laws round the sale of the drinks
Addressing Theresa May in the weekly bout of PMQs she said: ‘My constituent Justin Bartholomew was just 25 when he committed suicide late last year.
‘His family are convinced that his intake of high energy drinks, over 15 cans a day, increased his anxiety and contributed to his death.
‘Given the increased safety concern around the high-energy drink market and the actions of people like Jamie Oliver and Waitrose, would the Prime Minister consider introducing a national ban on the sale of these energy drinks for under-16s?’
The Prime Minster said she was aware drinks high in sugar can be damaging to children’s health, adding that the Government was supporting schools and parents to make healthier choices.
Scaffolder Justin Bartholomew, 25, (pictured) drank vast quantities of the caffeine-packed drinks as he marriage failed
Mrs May said: You have raised a tragic case and I know that the thoughts and sympathies of the whole House will be with the family and friends of Justin Bartholomew.
‘Of course, we have introduced the soft drinks industry levy.
‘We do recognise that there are issues around drinks that are high in sugar and we know that energy drinks high in sugar can be damaging to children’s health.
‘We’re supporting schools and parents to make healthier choices and to be able to identify those through clearer labelling, through campaigns.
‘But of course this is an issue that the Department of Health and Social Care will continue to look at and they’ll continue to look at the scientific evidence in relation to these drinks.’
A Downing Street source said officials would look at the evidence but added: ‘There is probably an issue with sugar and caffeine and other substances in some of those energy drinks because obviously some of them are quite high in caffeine.’