Govts should ban children from sunbeds: UN
Governments should pass laws on the responsible use of sun beds, banning their use for everyone aged under 18, the UN health agency said today.
The increased popularity of artificial tanning machines is one of the main reasons for a rapid increase in incidence of skin cancer, particularly among young women in Europe and North America, the World Health Organisation said in Geneva.
“Exposure to sun lamps is a known cancer-causing agent to humans,” said Mike Repacholi, a radiation expert at WHO. ”We feel it’s best not to use sun beds.”
Incidence of skin cancer has doubled in the US over the last 30 years and more than tripled since 1960 in Nordic countries, WHO said.
“People want to enjoy the sun – we just want to make sure they do it in a safe way,” Repacholi said. “Episodes of sunburn when you are young predispose you to skin cancer.”
WHO is providing a list of recommendations on the proper use of tanning machines, which include spending only short periods under sun lamps; protection of the eyes; a gradual increase in usage; and mandatory supervision.
