The Government have confirmed they will enforce a crackdown on underage sunbed use, after reports found tanning salons continued to sell the service to youngsters illegally.
The new National Cancer Plan, which will be consulted on from spring and could come into force from 2027, will introduce mandatory ID checks to verify users are over 18 and see unsupervised sessions banned entirely.
It is currently illegal for under-18s to use sunbeds in the UK, but reports show children as young as 14 are gaining access, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies sunbeds as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same as tobacco, with the use of a sunbed before the age of 20 increasing the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 47 per cent.
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Health Minister Karin Smyth said that the crackdown is "needed" because of the "deadly consequences" sunbeds can pose.
"The evidence is clear: there is no safe level of sunbed use, yet too many young people are being exposed to a known carcinogen with little understanding of the risks," Mrs Smyth said.
"These proposals will crack down on rogue operators and ensure the law is properly enforced.
"Prevention saves lives, and we will do everything we can to protect people from avoidable cancers."
The Government have confirmed they will enforce a crackdown on underage sunbed use
|DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Exposure to UV radiation has a list of known risks, including skin cancer, and led to the banning of under-18s from using sunbeds in 2010. Despite this, some operators continue to sell the tanning service to youngsters.
Skin cancer kills seven people a day on average in Britain and costs the NHS roughly £750million a year to treat.
Professor Meghana Pandit, National Medical Director at NHS England, said: "A sunbed tan might only last a few weeks, but the damage can last a lifetime.
"Sunbeds blast your skin with high levels of UV radiation, raising the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly for young people.
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The use of a sunbed before the age of 20 increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 47 per cent
|GETTY
"These proposals, as part of the National Cancer Plan, will help close dangerous loopholes, crack down on illegal sunbed use and keep people safe."
The public awareness of the dangers is alarming. Polling from Melanoma Focus shows just 62 per cent of adults know sunbed use increases cancer risk and nearly a quarter of 18 to 25 year olds wrongly believe sunbeds actually reduce their risk of cancer.
Susanna Daniels, Chief Executive Officer of Melanoma Focus, said: "We are delighted that the Government is taking real steps to tackle the use of sunbeds by those under 18, as well as planning to consult on the use of sunbeds more broadly.
"The need for action is clear, with 34 per cent of UK 16-17 year olds using sunbeds despite them being illegal for under 18s. Additionally, the rates of melanoma in the UK have risen considerably.
"To protect your skin and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with melanoma or other skin cancers, we strongly advise against using sunbeds.
"Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. The time to act is now and we therefore support the action the Department of Health and Social Care is proposing."
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