The United Kingdom government announced on Saturday, July 25, 2026, that it will prohibit the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 18. The new rule follows the model first introduced by the Quebec provincial government, which already barred such sales to minors.
Quebec’s earlier restriction made it illegal for retailers to sell energy drinks to individuals younger than 18. The province implemented the measure as part of its broader public‑health strategy, aiming to limit the consumption of highly caffeinated products among young people.
The British policy, unveiled at 08:00 GMT, adopts the same age threshold and applies nationwide. Officials said the legislation aligns with existing health guidelines and is intended to protect younger consumers from the potential risks associated with high caffeine intake.
In contrast, the Canadian federal government has not introduced comparable legislation. While the Quebec ban remains in force at the provincial level, Canada’s national authorities have not announced any plans to extend a similar restriction across the country.
The parallel actions in Quebec and the United Kingdom mean that two jurisdictions now share identical rules on energy‑drink sales to minors, while the rest of Canada continues without a federal ban. The development marks a notable step for the UK in adopting a policy that was previously limited to a single Canadian province.