Sunbed group to ban under-16s

SCIENTISTS believe children under the age of 16 should be banned from using sunbeds because the cancer risk is so high.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland with around 5,500 cases diagnosed annually.

And there are almost 400 cases of malignant melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, diagnosed in Ireland every year.

Scientists believe spending hours on a sunbed damages skin cells in the same way as lying unprotected in the sun for too long.

With 70,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Britain each year, Cancer Research UK and the Sunbed Association have agreed plans to stop sunbeds being used by the under-16s.

They called for coin-operated salons to be shut and want to see Europe-wide guidelines introduced for all other tanning businesses.

The charity and the association, which represents one quarter of the sunbed salons in Britain, are in talks with the British government on how best to proceed.

Both groups will take their plans forward at a summit later this month designed to improve self-regulation in the industry.

Kathy Banks, secretary of the Sunbed Association, said the organisation was committed to making sure people use the equipment responsibly.

“As part of our code of practice, under-16s are not allowed to use sunbeds,” she said.

“We know there are non-member operators out there who ignore some or, even worse, all safety guidelines.

“Customers need to be given proper advice and information about using sunbeds responsibly.

Sara Hiom, who co-ordinates Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign, welcomed the Sunbed Association’s willingness to regulate the industry.

“We would certainly like to see clear and strict guidelines for use wherever sunbed facilities are offered,” she said.

“This should include a list of those groups of people most at risk from sunbed use and strongly advising them against it.”

She called for EU-wide guidelines and said all sunbeds made and sold in Europe should carry a permanent warning setting out the risks.