The introduction of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 is a huge step forward in protecting young people in the UK, according to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). The Act must be enforced by local councils and requires that sunbed businesses ensure nobody under the age of 18 uses a sunbed on their premises. If they are unsuccessful, organisations can be fined up to £20,000.

Andrew Griffiths, the policy officer of the CIEH, was clear in his views on the issue. He said that the organisation is “extremely pleased” to see the Act being introduced and would provide “valuable protection” to young people who are vulnerable to skin cancer. He noted that the use of a sunbed once a month or can increase the risk of the disease by over half.

Mr Griffiths asserted: “We are now urging the government to follow the example set by Welsh Assembly Government by implementing the powers given to it under the Act to introduce subsidiary regulations increasing the protection given to sunbed users. These powers include further restricting the sale, hire or provision of sunbeds, in particular by prohibiting unsupervised tanning salons and requiring sunbed businesses to provide health information and protective eyewear to their customers.”

It follows research carried out by the CIEH in Wales back in 2008. It was found that over half of tanning salons – both supervised and unsupervised – would allow children under 16 to use a sunbed. Additionally, 88 per cent of premises let customers have a tanning session every day, should they want to.

Source:

http://www.cieh.org/media/media3.aspx?id=36152