Cross-Party MPs Demand Sunbed Advertising Ban, Cigarette-Style Health Warnings
A cross-party parliamentary group has urged the government to implement a ban on sunbed advertising and mandate prominent health warnings in tanning salons. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty's report advocates for cigarette-style imagery to be displayed, aiming to deter use and address the increasing incidence of skin cancer.
The report highlights that most skin cancer cases are preventable, noting that using a sunbed before the age of 35 raises the risk of the most dangerous form of skin cancer by 60%. Cancer Research UK states that melanoma, the fifth most common cancer in the UK, claims seven lives daily.
While the government's recent cancer action plan for England includes stricter sunbed regulations, such as mandatory ID checks for under-18s, the parliamentary report argues for further intervention, particularly in public education. It found a widespread lack of understanding regarding UV exposure risks and appropriate sun cream use among adults. Recommendations include long-term public health campaigns across various platforms, from apps to GP check-ups, and inclusive information addressing diverse skin tones.
Currently, sun safety education is only mandatory in English primary schools, with no requirements in secondary education or for shaded areas on sunny days. The report also suggests training hairdressers, barbers, and beauty therapists to identify potentially cancerous moles.
Misinformation regarding sun cream and sunbed benefits on social media is another concern. The report proposes leveraging the Online Safety Act to curb the spread of unscientific claims and collaborate with platforms to promote trusted, accurate information. Additional recommendations include removing VAT from children's sun cream and high SPF adult products to improve affordability, and incrementally raising the minimum age for sunbed use, mirroring tobacco legislation. Australia and Brazil have already banned sunbeds for cosmetic and commercial use.
