Public Health England research reveals significant breaches of sunbed laws

More than half of under 18s (53%) who have used a sunbed said they were never asked for ID to prove their age, according to research.

The study – funded by Cancer Research and conducted by Public Health England (PHE) and the University of the West of England – also found that four in 10 had never been given health advice on the potential harms of sunbeds, or on differences between skin types.

Researchers surveyed more than 3,000 11-17 year olds and found that the number to have used sunbeds had fallen from nearly 7% in 2008/09 to 4.5%.

The survey also found:

• Half of those to have used a sunbed had been burned at least once;
• 100% of children using coin-operated sunbeds regularly had been burnt at least once.

A ban on under-18s from using sunbeds was introduced in 2009 in Scotland and 2011 in England and Wales. In Scotland and Wales there are also requirements that all sunbeds be supervised by trained staff.

Professor Julia Verne, lead author and strategic public health lead of PHE’s National Cancer Intelligence Network, said: “The number of children using sunbeds in Great Britain has fallen since the under-18 ban was introduced. But supervision, particularly in England, needs to improve to adhere to the legislation which is designed to protect young people from the harms of UV damage.

“Businesses that fail to check the age of their customers are putting young people at risk of developing skin cancer later in life, as well as breaking the law. We must do more and ensure that clear health information is given to those adults who choose to use them.”

According to PHE, rates of malignant melanoma in the UK are disproportionately higher in young people compared to most other cancers, with more than a third of cases diagnosed in the under-55s.

Joseph Hoult