The decision to outlaw all other drinks at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park was announced in a newsletter sent home to parents.
The ban includes fruit juice, as ‘coloured liquids could cause confusion’ and staff wanted to ‘avoid having to examine drinks’, but sweets and chocolate were cleared for consumption.
Some entrepreneurial teenagers have spotted a business opportunity: to smuggle in soft drinks to sell at inflated prices. Pupil Jake Phillips, 15, said that ‘speakeasies’ are starting up selling the prohibited drinks.
“There is business potential now there’s a gap in the market,” he said. “Gangsters sold alcohol in America when that was banned. Prohibition always leads to supply and demand. That means anyone who sneaks it in can make a lot of money.”
Interviewed by a London newspaper, one pupil, Sam Blundell, aged 15, said: “The ban can’t be enforced. You can watch out for not wearing the dress code or behaviour, but not someone’s health. They can’t check back pockets or bags, because otherwise it’s invasion of privacy, and all the kids know that.
“Kids will find an alternative anyway. Trying to separate us from a bit of junk food is like trying to put a divide between eggs and bacon – it won’t work because it’s a part of tradition. For £1.30 you can buy Lucozade or three bars of chocolate, so now people will just spend on sugary food. What’s the point of banning sugary drinks but not sugary or fatty foods? This is turning into more of a diet camp than a school.”
Headteacher Jo Armitage said: “Schools are responsible for showing young people that their own behaviour impacts on their health. We are extremely proud to be Camden’s first water-only school. Students are fully aware that water is a clean, free and healthy drink and that, in comparison, a bottle of Lucozade containing 27 spoons of sugar is only damaging their health.
“Not only that, without sugary drinks, students are better able to focus on their learning.”
While I agree that there are numerous studies linking increased water consumption to better learning, it’s worth noting that this action includes the banning of pure, natural fruit juice and zero-calorie, sugar-free drinks too.
Oh, and it seems sugar-laden snacks and confectionery are still OK, too.
Source: London Evening Standard/Islington Tribune
@wholeworldwater @foodbev That’s not the issue here. Banning soft drinks alone will not fix the obesity crisis. — Bill Bruce (@BillFoodBev) February 22, 2013
@wholeworldwater @foodbev That’s not the issue here. Banning soft drinks alone will not fix the obesity crisis.
— Bill Bruce (@BillFoodBev) February 22, 2013
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