Lyn Brown MP has been in Parliament to back a Bill to introduce a ban on anyone under 18 being able to use sunbeds.

Recent research by Cancer Research UK, commissioned by the Government, found that a quarter of a million, or 6%, of children aged 11 to 17 have used a sunbed.   This rises to 20% of children in the North of England. The average age children start using a sunbed is 14 and more than a quarter of these children use them at least once a month.

There is strong evidence linking sunbed use to increased incidences of cancer and skin cancer is now the fastest growing type of cancer in the UK.  Under 18s are already banned from using sunbeds in Scotland and the Government fully supports introducing the same restrictions in England.

 Lyn Brown MP said,

 “I am pleased to fully support this Bill in Parliament which is urgently needed to protect young people from the damage that sunbeds cause.  At the moment, it’s far too easy for young people to use sunbeds and increase their risk of developing cancer.

 It’s shocking how many young people, particularly girls, are using sunbeds easily at such a young age.  Anyone who uses a sunbed for the first time under the age of 35 increases their risk of skin cancer by 75%.  It’s vital that we ensure that young people cannot put their health at risk in this way.

 The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recently re-classified sunbeds as presenting the same cancer risk as tobacco.  We need to regulate sunbeds in the same way as tobacco and protect all those under 18 from their dangers.”