MEP SUPPORTS SUNBED RESTRICTIONS TO FIGHT SKIN CANCER

12.00.00am GMT Tue 9th Mar 2010

A North East MEP has spoken out in support of legislation that would place a duty on tanning businesses to prevent the use of sunbeds by under-18s and impose strict requirements for supervision, provision of information on health risks, and eye protection.

Ahead of a debate of a Private Member's Bill in the House of Commons that would protect children and teenagers from the dangers of sunbeds, Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall, a member of MEPs Against Cancer in the European Parliament, said:

"It is outrageous how easily sunbeds can be accessed by children and teenagers even though research has shown that they increase the risk of skin cancer.

"Teenagers and especially young girls are often put under pressure to have a tan and it is irresponsible to allow them easy access to cheap coin-operated sunbed and unstaffed tanning salons that offer neither health warnings nor proper eye protection."

"Regulating the use of sunbeds is the only way to reduce the huge rise in skin cancer seen over the last 20 years."

Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in young adults aged between 15 and 34. Without proper eye protection, UV from sunbeds can also severely damage the eyes and lead to irritation, conjunctivitis and eye cancer.

This month, a sunbed awareness campaign was launched by Cancer Research UK in Sunderland. A recent survey by the charity showed that 50% of girls aged 15 to 17 in the city use sunbeds.

Said Fiona:

"I fully support Cancer Research UK's sunbed awareness campaign in Sunderland. It is time to give a clear message that misuse of sunbeds can have fatal consequences."