Following recommendations by a government expert advisory committee, the CIEH is working with the Department of Health to review national policy on the provision of sunbeds.
The CIEH has long campaigned for stricter control on the use of artificial tanning equipment, because of the risks to health. Skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 10,400 malignant melanoma cases and at least 81,500 non-melanoma skin cancers recorded in 2006.
CIEH Principal Policy Officer Jenny Morris said:
“We are now working with the Department of Health and Cancer Research UK to look at the recommendations put forward by COMARE.
“We want to see early action on sunbed salons as there is plenty of evidence that better controls are needed for everyone.”
In June this year the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE), published its 13th report, The health effects and risks arising from the exposure to UV radiation from artificial tanning devices.
The report recommends:
- Prohibiting the use of commercial sunbeds by under 18s
- Prohibiting the unsupervised use and/or self determined operation of sunbeds in commercial outlets
- All commercial outlets should be licensed/registered, with equipment that adheres to British Standard
- Salons to have trained and competent staff
- Salons would be required to provide detailed written information on the health risks associated with the use of sunbeds
- Commercial outlets should be prohibited from promoting unproven health benefits of sunbed use