LONDON – The English government will restrict sales of energy drinks to those 16 and older. The Prime Minister’s office also is considering whether to apply the ban to those between the ages of 16 and 18, The Guardian reports. Prime Minister Theresa May said the move is part of the government’s strategy to end childhood obesity.

Such a restriction is necessary because energy drinks were “often … sold at cheaper prices than soft drinks.” The government pointed to the high level of caffeine in the drinks, roughly equal to a cup of coffee, but triple the caffeine in a can of Coke. Energy drinks also tend to have more sugar than soda—60% more calories and 65% more sugar, according to the government.

Some supermarket chains already have policies forbidding the sale of energy drinks to kids, but the low cost of the drinks has two-thirds of kids between the ages of 10 and 17 and a fourth of those between the ages of 6 and 9 drinking the beverages. Energy drinks already must carry this warning: “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women or persons sensitive to caffeine.”

“There is no evidence that energy drinks have any nutritional value or place in the diet of children and young people. That’s why we’re pleased to see the government take action on this and other measures to tackle childhood obesity and improve children’s health,” said Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The proposal would only restrict the sale of energy drinks in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland could enact the same ban if their governments approved.