Wales sunbed ban 'will prevent skin cancer'

Much has been made recently of how dangerous sunbeds can be, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer condemning the equipment earlier this year.

According to the organisation, sunbeds are definitely a carcinogen, meaning that women who use them have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease.

Following this condemnation and other similar reports from bodies such as Cancer Research UK, Wales has now announced a ban on people under the age of 18 using sunbeds.

According to the country's' health minister Edwina Hart, the ban will help to prevent incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, among young people.

Ms Hart told cancer insurance customers that the ban will firstly apply to coin-operated sunbeds, asking that these machines are now constantly monitored by qualified staff.

"I am convinced that the unregulated use of sunbeds is a public health problem. I am particularly concerned about the use of sunbeds by people under the age of 18 and by the use of coin-operated sunbeds," she said.

She added that her next target is now to ban unmanned sunbeds throughout the country in a bid to combat melanoma, which is the fastest-rising cancer among young women.

Ms Hart told cancer cover holders that eventually she hopes to mirror a similar ban on all under-18's sunbed use which was implemented in Scotland, adding that all of Wales' 419 salons will be subject.

"All legislative means to achieve these and the other associated policy objectives are being considered, namely primary legislation with the UK government made through the Westminster parliament," she said.

By Louise Jones

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