The Sunbed Regulatory Bill becomes law today

08/04/10

Young people will now be protected from the dangers of sunbeds since a new law was passed and the House of Lords approved the Sunbed Regulatory Bill which means this new law will now come into effect on 8 April 2011. This important bill now means that under18’s will be banned from using sunbeds. Coin operated sunbeds will also be banned along with unmanned sunbed shops.

After a four year campaign the House of Lords approved the Sunbed Regulatory Bill which means that it will be against the law for under 18’s to use sunbeds.
The Private Member’s Bill was originally brought by Julie Morgan MP for Cardiff North and Sian James, MP for Swansea East and was supported from the very start by Teenage Cancer Trust for a number of years along with Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts.

In the UK, malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. The intensity of UV rays in some sunbeds can be more than ten times stronger than the midday sun and there is strong scientific evidence to show the skin damage they cause increases skin cancer risk.

With this in mind a strong media and lobbying campaign was created to rally as much support as possible for the Bill. Highlights of the campaign included a BBC3 documentary ‘The Truth on Tanning’, which was fronted by Nicola Roberts. Teenage Cancer Trust, Heat! magazine, Julie Morgan MP and Sian James MP also joined forces and created a photocall in Westminster. A group of young females were brought together to highlight to the media the dangerous effects sunbeds can have on the skin like blistering and unattractive goggle marks.

Due to the success of the campaign the Report Stage of the Sunbed Regulatory Bill took place in the House of Commons on 12 March and was passed, allowing it to move on to the House of Lords, which was when it was announced that this new law will come into effect a year on, making it law on 8 April 2011.

Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust Simon Davies comments on the fantastic news of the Sunbed Regulatory Bill passing: “It’s about time that the health implications of sunbed usage on young people is finally being taken seriously and we are so pleased that the Sunbed Regulatory Bill will become law. Teenage Cancer Trust has been campaigning with Sian James and Julie Morgan, MP on this issue for a number of years and we now hope that the introduction of this Bill will help stem the rapid increase of skin cancer in young people and save lives.”