The Echo revealed last week an Essex school had banned pupils from drinking anything other than water. We asked readers if they believe schools should ban sugary drinks.

Valerie Lidgett from Southend

Water is certainly a good alternative.

Banning sugary drinks is not a bad idea at all, in theory.

Probably a ban is a good idea, especially if there is a good alternative for them to drink that is less sugary, especially with the worries over obesity in poorer areas.

Gemma Earnshaw from Wickford 

I disagree with sugary drinks and that sort of thing.

Fortunately, my son likes drinking water so it’s not a major problem But while some children do like drinking water, there are others that don’t and they need an alternative and sometimes it is not necessarily the healthiest option.

I would ban fizzy drinks, but I would allow drinks with low sugar levels.

Alana Wakeham from Leigh 

It is a good idea to ban them now that we know a lot more about the harm that sugar can do.

I think children are quite vulnerable so if they have not got the temptation to have it that is a good thing.

And when they are older they can make the decision for themselves. That makes sense.

Delysia Wright from Southend 

Banning sugary drinks in school is a first step, but it is up to parents to take it on.

It is a shame the milk provisions in schools were stopped because that would be an alternative and it is a necessary thing, I think, because perhaps the children don’t get given milk at home.

Rose Macmillan from Southend 

I totally disagree with sugary drinks in schools.

All it is is water with lots of sugar in it.

I was quite shocked when I was told how much sugar is in a can these days.

I stopped drinking these drinks about 35 years ago when you used to get sugary drinks in cardboard packages with a straw.

About a year ago I tried a sugary drink and got the greatest shock. All I could taste was the sugar.

Alana Henwood from Southend 

It is quite difficult to say if a ban would work because parents should really be making that decision for the children.

It seems to me that more and more children are turning to sugary drinks, but I am not sure if a ban would work.

Children would do the complete opposite if you told them not to do something.

Patricia Fell from Wickford 

I don’t know whether they should be banned altogether I don’t think children really need them.

Water is best for everybody, I think that is obvious.

Push them towards drinking water, it is much better for them, and makes more sense.

Anne Jones councillor for children and learning at Southend Council 

Medics will tell you that they can have an effect on heart rate and you can become addicted to them.

In secondary schools, you would hope that children would make the right choice, but I would continue having a ban at primary schools.

A lot of our schools in the Southend borough are awarded healthy school marks and would exclude them in order to achieve being a healthy school.

  • What do you think? Should schools ban sugary drinks? Vote in our poll.