The Scottish Government is looking at banning the sale of energy drinks to schoolchildren.
Ministers are preparing to take a tough line on the super-charged caffeine cans because of concerns about their impact on pupil behaviour and health.
The Courier has been calling for tighter rules on the availability of the high sugar beverages to youngsters since last year.
In the diet and healthy weight strategy launched by the new public health minister Joe FitzPatrick on Monday, the government said it would consult on restrictions to the sale of energy drinks to under-16s.
“The Scottish Government recognises that consumption of energy drinks is a significant concern to parents, teachers and young people,” the strategy said.
“These concerns go beyond the high sugar content that most of these drinks have.
“Teaching unions report issues with behaviour and the last European Food Safety Authority study indicates significantly higher consumption in the UK than our European neighbours.”
The 41-page document urges retailers to follow their peers who refuse to sell the energy drinks to under-16s.
Government officials will also team up with Sporta, the umbrella body for Scottish leisure trusts, to discuss introducing restrictions in the 1,300 facilities they represent.
The Can It campaign encourages all secondary headteachers in the country to issue a total ban on the drinks on school premises to protect pupil health and learning.
Last month, Angus MP Kirstene Hair put forward draft legislation in Westminster to toughen up the restrictions on the TV advertising of junk food, including energy drinks.
The strategy has welcomed the announcement from the UK Government, which is responsible for broadcast rules, that it will consult on introducing a 9pm watershed on TV adverts promoting bad food.
