INDEPENDENT retailers in Scotland are being encouraged to stop selling energy drinks to children.

At the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) Scottish Conference in Inverness earlier this week delegates unanimously agreed that members should be encouraged to adopt a policy of refusing to sell energy drinks to youngsters under the age of 16.

Scottish president Rory O’Brien said: “Our members in Scotland pride themselves on retailing responsibly so banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is a logical next step.”

Posters will be produced for members to display in store to advise customers they will no longer sell caffeine packed drinks to under-16s.

The NFRN has advised Angus South MSP Graeme Dey of its Scottish members’ decision. Dey has been encouraging retailers to adopt a voluntary ban and he welcomed the news. The voluntary ban came into effect at the end of conference on Monday afternoon.

The conference motion was put forward by the NFRN’s Aberdeen branch executive and it said: “Conference supports the principle of a voluntary ban on sales of high energy drinks labelled as being ‘unsuitable for children’ to under 16s and recommends all members be made aware of the dangers of such products to young people.”

Proposing the motion, Aberdeen branch member Jim Maitland said: “Independent retail organisations are the only sector of the retail trade not seen to be supporting a voluntary ban on sales of these products.

“We hope that through the adoption of a voluntary ban by NFRN members in Scotland, the need for the introduction of yet another piece of legislation for small retailers to worry about will be avoided. As responsible retailers the NFRN should be leading the way in the independent sector by giving clear guidance to its members.”

The NFRN is Europe’s largest employer’s association and represents nearly 1500 independent retailers in Scotland.

At the start of the year, Waitrose became the first major UK retailer to ban the sale of high energy drinks to those under 16 years of age. Asda, Aldi, the Co-op, Lidl, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s made similar moves at the start of this month.