Sunbed (Regulation) Act 2010 Comes into Force

14 May 2011

Sunbed (Regulation) Act 2010 Comes into Force

New legislation banning the use of sunbeds by under 18 year-olds came into force on 8 April.  It should help Local Authorities do more to protect public health and regulate the industry.

Sunbed use is a known risk factor in developing skin cancer, particularly for young people and those with fair skin.  Using 2009 data, a report previously published by the South West Public Health Observatory found that sunbed outlets in the South West are largely unregulated and many are unsupervised or only part-supervised, increasing the risks to health.  Coin-operated sunbeds are of particular concern as they are unsupervised and therefore easier for under 18 year-olds to use.  There is also less likely to be public health advise available at point of use.

Unsupervised 'hotspots' were identified in North Cornwall, Bournemouth, Restormel and Bristol, all of which had the highest number of unsupervised sunbed outlets.  Sunbeds were also found in some unusual settings, including carpet shops, travel agents, cosmetic piercing premises, amusement arcades, pubs, betting shops and a lap-dancing bar.

See the SWPHO report and media release at: http://www.swpho.nhs.uk/skincancerhub/resource/view.aspx?RID=54127

See the Sunbeds (Regulation) 2010 Act at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/20/contents