Assembly Consults on Sunbed Regulations

Should tanning salons face further restrictions? The Welsh Assembly Government has opened a consultation on possible regulations on sunbed businesses.

The 2010 Sunbed Act prevented under 18 year olds from using tanning salons and provided further regulation-making powers for the Welsh Assembly.

The Assembly Government is now looking to use these powers to introduce more controls on sunbed operators. The proposed regulations include requiring the supervision of commercial sunbeds, prescribing health information to be displayed in the salons and restricting the sale or hire of tanning equipment to under 18 year olds.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas said: “This is a serious issue. The skin cancer rate has increased four-fold over the last thirty years and we are well aware of the dangers of excessive tanning. I believe these premises should be supervised and their customers should be made aware of the potential health risks.”

“We have no desire to prevent adults from visiting tanning salons if they want to but if children are still able to use commercial sunbeds this is clearly unacceptable. The International Agency for Research on Cancer have advised us that first exposure to sunbeds before the age of 35 increases the risk of malignant melanoma by 75%”

“From discussions with constituents I know that many people in Neath feel strongly about this issue. I’d ask anyone with opinions on how best to regulate in this area to respond to this consultation.”

Copies of the consultation document can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government website. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting Mrs Thomas’ office on 01792 869993.