Posted: Wed 29th Jun 2022

Welsh Liberal Democrat outrage at coffeebait despite consultation stating “this would not affect tea or coffee”

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jun 29th, 2022

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have said Welsh Government have a “proposed Tea & Coffee Ban for Under 16s” and labelled the apparent plan “outrageously illiberal”.

Readers will recall the announced consultation on banning the sale of energy drinks for under-16s and limiting hot food takeaways near schools from earlier this month.

The consultation documents include an ‘easy to read‘ section, as well as a dull more formal document. One of the several questions asks “Should the ban be widened to consider other drinks typically high in caffeine such as tea and coffee?”.

As pictured above the ‘easy to read’ consultation document states “Any soft drinks that have the label ‘High caffeine content’ would be part of the ban. This would not affect tea or coffee.”

Reach PLC have run an article stating “Banning the sale of tea and coffee to under-16s in Wales is something being considered as part of plans to make young people healthier and stop rising obesity rates. Concerns have been raised that the rising consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks is affecting students’ educations.”

Reach PLC’s ‘Express’ title went a step further with the outrage:

Referencing the WalesOnline article headlined “Under-16s in Wales could be banned from buying tea and coffee as part of proposed energy drinks clampdown” Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented: “It is beggars’ belief that this is even under consideration.

“We are all aware obesity is a serious problem in Wales and it is important that we take action to reduce the levels across Wales.

“However, it doesn’t take an expert consultation to realise that tea and coffee are not responsible for high obesity levels.

“It would be outrageously illiberal to ban the sale of coffee and tea to under 16-year-olds, something which they regularly drink themselves at home.”

You can view the documents and understand the consultation for yourself, and perhaps take part, via https://gov.wales/proposal-end-sale-energy-drinks-children-under-16



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