MPs call for sunbed advertising ban to help prevent skin cancer

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MPs from a cross-party group are calling for a ban on advertising sunbeds and for warnings to be issued about the dangers of skin cancer in shops.

They also proposed displaying cigarette-style images at sunbed shops and tanning salons to dissuade people from using them.

The report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on beauty has found that the majority of skin cancer cases are preventable and also that using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of the most dangerous form of skin cancer by 60%.

The Sunbed Association says the industry is already strictly regulated and does not believe sunbed use should be categorised in a similar way to tobacco products.

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Seven people die each day from melanoma and it is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, according to charity Cancer Research UK.

The government says its recent cancer action plan in England will aim to bring in stricter rules for sunbed use, including mandatory ID checks to make sure under-18s aren't using them.

But this year-long research report says government intervention needs to go further, starting with education.

It found that many adults did not understand the true risk of UV exposure and when to use sun cream.

Suggestions included launching long-term public health campaigns to spread awareness among the adult population and integrating information in everyday settings such as apps, public transport, digital billboards and at GP check-ups.

The report also found a lack of understanding about how sun exposure affects different skin tones, so providing inclusive information is important.

There is currently only mandatory sun safety teaching in English primary schools and nothing in secondary schools. Schools do not have requirements in place to provide shaded areas on sunny days.

Education could also extend to training those in hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy to spot potentially cancerous moles on clients and encourage them to seek medical advice.

Information from the report also showed that misinformation is being spread regularly on social media, including harmful information about how sun cream contains toxic chemicals and how natural alternatives are just as affective.

BBC research from earlier this year found that there were hundreds of adverts on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook saying that sunbeds could boost energy, treat skin conditions and mental health issues.

The cross-party report suggested using the Online Safety Act to prevent this information from spreading easily online and also working with social media platforms to promote trusted sources and scientifically accurate information on sun safety.

It also made recommendations to remove VAT on all children's sun cream and on high SPF products for adults.

Currently sun creams are treated as cosmetic items rather than those essential for health and reducing the cost could make them more affordable for some households.

Another suggestion was to increase the minimum age for the use of sunbeds year on year - in a similar way to cigarettes.

Sunbeds are currently banned in Australia and Brazil for cosmetic and commercial use.