Ban on using sunbeds edges closer

Calls to ban sunbeds in an effort to cut skin cancer rates will be considered by ministers.

Health minister James Morris agreed to discuss the campaign after labour MP sarah Owen pressed the Government to take the ‘dangers of sunbeds seriously’.

While unprotected exposure to the sun can leave someone vulnerable to skin cancer, it is not the only risk factor, Miss Owen said, raising the case of a constituent with melanoma.

Miss Owen warned against the year-round use of sunbeds. she said: ‘Does the minister support Melanoma UK’s campaign to ban the use of sunbeds – and if not, why not?’

Mr Morris replied: ‘Given the weather we’re experiencing at the moment, issues to do with melanoma are high on the priority list.’

Melanoma UK chief executive Gillian Nuttall said melanomas and other skin cancers were increasingly common in the UK, with more than 100,000 cases diagnosed every year.

Melanoma kills more than 2,500 people a year, she added. she asked for commercial sunbeds to be banned. ‘This is not a new idea: australia and Brazil banned them many years ago.’

Gary lipman of the sunbed association said there was ‘no robust scientific evidence that demonstrates a causal relationship between responsible sunbed use by those able to tan and melanoma’.