New sunbed controls to be urged

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8104250.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The government is to be urged to bring in strict new controls governing the use of sunbeds, the BBC has learned.

Leading radiation and medical experts have concluded unmanned salons should be banned and commercial use limited to those over the age of 18.

Similar legislation has already been introduced in Scotland.

Industry body the Sunbed Association welcomed calls for a ban on unmanned salons - but said 16-year-olds are old enough to use sunbeds responsibly.

Figures supplied by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate more than 100 deaths from skin cancer every year in the UK are thought to be linked to the use of sunbeds.

The Sunbed Association has previously said there is no proven link between the skin cancer and what it terms the "responsible" use of sunbeds.

Currently, the 8,000 tanning salons in the UK are covered by voluntary guidelines drawn up by the industry.

Public health

The guidelines recommend who is allowed to use sunbeds, and for how long.

But now experts from the independent government advisory committee Comare ( Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment) say self-regulation is not sufficient on public health grounds.

As well as licensing all sunbed salons, the committee wants the rest of the UK to follow Scotland's lead in preventing children from using tanning salons.

Measures include banning unmanned, coin operated salons and prohibiting use of sunbeds by the under 18's.

The Comare report concludes there is evidence which suggests an increased risk of skin cancer among those who use sunbeds before the age of 35.