Health experts 'strongly support' sunbed regulation

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health write for ePolitix.com about Julie Morgan MP's private member's Bill to ban sunbed use for under 18's.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has written to all MPs to express its full support for the Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill, currently before Parliament.

The Private Members Bill, sponsored by Julie Morgan MP, proposes a ban on the commercial use of artificial Ultra Violet (UV) tanning devices by the under 18's. The evidence of long term harm i.e. increased risk of skin cancer has been produced by several widely respected public health bodies. In addition, there have been several high profile incidents of children being badly burned on sun beds, notably in Wales, in the last year. Sun beds are not currently subject to any form of direct legislative control over the age of user, length of exposure or use of protective equipment such as goggles to prevent eye damage.

The CIEH strongly supports the proposed legislation, as we believe it is a positive step towards protecting the group most vulnerable to skin cancer from a risk with potentially life threatening outcomes. The Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill has its Second Reading on 29 January and the CIEH has urged all MPs to demonstrate their support by voting for the Bill.

If this Bill were to become law, it would bring the position in England and Wales into line with that in Scotland.

Nicola Roberts, Julie Morgan MP, The Right Honourable Andy Burnham MP and Sian James MP are shown in the photograph at the launch of Julie Morgan MP Private Member's Bill.

Background information

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United Kingdom and it is estimated that some 2,600 people die from it each year , which is greater than the mortality rate seen in Australia. Skin cancer arises as a result of over exposure to ultra violet radiation and consequently can be prevented by appropriate pre-cautionary measures. Whilst the majority of over-exposure will be as a result of "too much" sun, there is growing concern about the contribution of sun beds, which have been estimated to cause 100 deaths from melanoma each year.

Reflecting these concerns the World Health Organization has stated that under 18's should not use sun beds and in 2009 classified UV emitting tanning devices as "carcinogenic to humans".

Concerns about artificial UV tanning devices were also highlighted in the 2007 Cancer Reform Strategy, with particular reference made to the risks to children and young people. As a result, the four Health Departments of the United Kingdom asked the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) to report on the risks of UV exposure from artificial tanning devices and the adequacy of the controls. COMARE, in its 13th report made a number of recommendations aimed at improving control of the commercial use of sunbeds in tandem with raising public awareness of the risks of skin cancer. In particular COMARE recommended that the commercial use of sunbeds by the under 18's be prohibited.