英国拟禁止向儿童出售能量饮料

Britain's government launched a public consultation over plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to young people, as it grapples with some of Western Europe's worst childhood obesity rates.

日前，英国政府就禁止向年轻人出售能量饮料的计划发起了一次公众咨询，因为英国政府正在努力应对西欧一些最严重的儿童肥胖率问题。

Prime Minister Theresa May wants to prevent retailers from selling popular energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster and Relentless, to children because of their high levels of sugar and caffeine.

英国首相特雷莎·梅希望阻止零售商向儿童销售受欢迎的能量饮料，比如红牛、怪兽和无情，因为这些饮料含有大量糖分和咖啡因。

The government estimates more than two-thirds of 10 to 17-year-olds and a quarter of six to 9-year-olds consume the drinks, which are linked to a host of health and behavior problems, from headaches to hyperactivity.

据政府估计，超过三分之二的10至17岁的青少年和四分之一的6至9岁的青少年饮用这些饮料。这些饮料与从头痛到多动症等一系列健康和行为问题有关。

"Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health challenges this country faces," May said in a statement. "With thousands of young people regularly consuming energy drinks, often because they are sold at cheaper prices than soft drinks, we will consult on banning the sale of energy drinks to children."

特雷莎·梅在一份声明中称：“儿童肥胖是这个国家面临的最大健康挑战之一。数以千计的年轻人经常饮用能量饮料，通常是因为它们的价格比软饮料便宜，因此我们将就禁止向儿童销售能量饮料的问题进行磋商。”

The plans were first announced in June, alongside a commitment to halve childhood obesity rates by 2030.

该计划于今年6月首次宣布，同时承诺到2030年将儿童肥胖率减半。

The 12-week consultation will ask whether the restrictions should apply to children under 16 or under 18 and if the law should be changed to prevent children from buying them in any situation.

这一为期12周的咨询，将对这些限制是否适用于16岁以下儿童或18岁以下儿童，以及是否应修改法律以防止儿童在任何情况下购买这些产品进行询问。