Sunbed Firms To Tighten Up On Under 18 Useage

Sunbed companies are gearing up for a fight, as they are warned they could face fines of up to £20,000 for under-18 sunbed use. One professional body says the new rules are not tough enough, while the tanning beds industry body says there is no scientific justification for the ban to be set at 18.
Businesses in England and Wales which allow people under 18 to use sunbeds face fines of up to £20,000 under new rules that come into force today.
The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 will stop young people from using sunbeds in a wide range of places, including tanning salons, hotels, gyms and leisure centres.
However, one environmental health body said the rule changes did not go far enough and called for even tougher controls - due to come into effect in Wales later this year - to be applied in England as well.
Firms face £20,000 fines for under-18 sunbed use One professional body says the new rules are not tough enough, while the tanning industry body says there is no scientific justification for the ban to be set at 18 (continued) Rules 'not tough enough'
However, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) said the rules were not tough enough and should have encompassed extra regulations being introduced in Wales. From 31st October, unstaffed tanning salons in the principality will be banned and under-18s will be prevented from buying or hiring tanning equipment.
Sunbed businesses in Wales will also have to provide health information and protective eyewear to customers.
Andrew Griffiths, CIEH Policy Officer, said in a statement: "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."
A ban on sunbed use by under-18s was introduced in Scotland in December 2009. The Scottish legislation also included a ban on unstaffed tanning salons and forced operators to provide health information and eyewear. Sunbed operators say they were 'ignored'
The Sunbed Association, which represents the tanning industry, also said the latest legislation should have gone further. It says it lobbied unsuccessfully for unstaffed tanning salons to be outlawed and for all sunbeds to have a maximum UV output.
In a press release, the Association said there was "no science" to support the ban being imposed for under-18s and that its members had always been required to prohibit use by under-16s. It said, as a result of the new law, the age bar was now being raised to 18.
Earlier this week, Cancer Research UK released figures showing more than 900 young Britons aged between 15 and 34 are being diagnosed with melanoma each year - more than two a day. It said that compared with around 290 cases of the disease annually in the late 1970s. Skin cancer advice
Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign manager, said in a statement: "With summer approaching after such a harsh winter, everyone is looking forward to enjoying some sunshine. But it’s more important than ever to be aware of the dangers of getting sunburnt.
"Nor are sunbeds a safe alternative to tanning. In fact using a sunbed before the age of 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 75 per cent."
Cerny cautioned that young women needed to be particularly careful as they were "more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than young men".
In 2009, Cancer Research UK released details of a survey which found that an average of 6% of 11 to 17 year olds in England used sunbeds, with that figure rising to 11% in the north.

Skin Cancer And Sun Beds

Skin cancer survivor warns of sunbed danger

 

24/04/2012

A skin cancer survivor and Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today joined forces to issue a new warning about the dangers of unsafe tanning.
The warning comes as figures, published today by ISD Scotland, show a sharp increase in reported cases of melanoma in the last ten years.
Today’s cancer incidence figures show a 62 per cent rise in skin cancer between 2000 and 2010.
The main risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to natural and artificial sunlight, especially at a young age.
Mum-of-one Jacqui Carruthers was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in March 2009 at the age of 29, and is warning about the dangers of using sunbeds.
Jacqui used sunbeds before a night out, or before going on holiday, and would sunbathe with little or no sun protection to give her a ‘healthy glow’.
At the end of 2008 she became aware of a mole on her back that she felt had changed in colour. After a few months she was referred to see a dermatologist at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
A few weeks later a biopsy revealed it was a malignant melanoma and the mole was removed. A week later Jacqui had a wider incision to remove the surrounding tissue and ensure the cancer had not spread.
Ms Sturgeon said: “These figures are yet another stark warning of the dangers of unsafe tanning – either in the sun or using sunbeds.
“People need to realise how essential it is to wear sunscreen and cover up in the sun. Doing this and avoiding sunbed use really could save your life.
“Using sunbeds is dangerous and that is why Scotland led the way by being the first part of the UK to introduce legislation to address the health risks associated with sunbed use.
“Jacqui’s story shows us that you don’t need to use sunbeds regularly to put yourself at risk of skin cancer. I hope people will use her experience as a warning and think very carefully before using sunbeds or going out in the sun without wearing sunscreen.
“The increase in the number of people being diagnosed with melanoma may in part be down to better awareness and improved diagnosis, but there is no doubt that unsafe tanning remains a big issue, particularly among the young.
“We recently launched the Detect Cancer Early campaign – the sooner cancer is treated the better the chances of survival.”
The Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008 banned the use of sunbeds by under 18s and it also required operators to display notices warning of the health risks and to provide information to users of sunbeds on those risks.
Three years on, there is no evidence that Jacqui’s cancer has returned and she no longer has to have regular check ups.

Jacqui, now 32, who lives in Bishopton with husband David, 34, and son Jude, 4, said: “I sunbathed as a teenager and in my 20s. Although I wasn’t a regular sunbed user, I used sunbeds occasionally prior to nights out to make myself look good and have a 'healthy' tanned appearance.

“When I was diagnosed I felt as though my life had been pulled from under me. I was completely naïve and didn’t believe that this could happen to me. I'm not pale skinned and I don’t burn so I didn’t think that skin cancer would ever be an issue.
“I would warn anyone against using sunbeds as they are significantly increasing their risk of getting cancer.”
Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns said:
“Exposure to sunlight, to a certain extent is very important, for the generation and production of vitamin D in the skin, however, it is very important not to get burnt – use sun block and limit your exposure to the sun – that’s the best way of avoiding this particular tumour.
“Survival in Scotland after a diagnosis of this tumour is generally better than in most other European countries. So, it is important that if you have a dark patch on your skin that you think has changed recently or has started to bleed or become itchy you go and see the doctor about it and get the best available treatment.”

From National Health Service, Scottish Government