MPs back tanning salon age ban

A bid to ban under-18s from tanning salons has cleared its Commons stages.
12 April 2012

A bid to ban under-18s from tanning salons has cleared its Commons stages.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill was introduced amid fears that youngsters are putting themselves at increased risk of cancer by using the machines.

It enjoyed a high-profile launch at the Commons in January when it received the support of Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts, and was given an unopposed third reading today.

Labour's Julie Morgan (Cardiff North), who proposed the legislation, said it would "save lives". "It is important - it will protect young people," she added.

The Bill places a duty on salon operators to prevent the use of sunbeds by under-18s and gives local enforcement officers the power to inspect the businesses and penalise owners who breach the ban.

It would also allow ministers to regulate to stop children hiring or buying sunbeds and ban unmanned automatic tanning salons. Clear health information would be required in salons, setting out the dangers of sunbed use.

Research commissioned by Cancer Research UK last year found 6% of 11 to 17-year-olds in England - more than 250,000 children - have used sunbeds.

In "hotspots" such as Liverpool and Sunderland, the research found half of 15 to 17-year-old girls used sunbeds.

The Bill, which has cross-party support, now goes for consideration in the House of Lords but faces a battle to become law with time running out before the general election.

Cancer Research UK said it was "delighted" that the Bill had passed through the Commons. Head of policy Sarah Woolnough said: "We urge the Government to prioritise this Bill to ensure legislation that will prevent young people putting their health at risk is in place before the upcoming election."

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