Sunbed Add to national skin cancer Burden and Should be banned in BritainExperts have warned.
The tanning industry is currently experiencing a bounce, Promoting social media sunbed As an integral part of welfare.
Still it cannot be ahead of the truth, with experts warning Sunbads increase the risk of melanoma – The deadliest form of skin cancer kills about six people a day. According to the charity melanoma focus, about 100 melanoma deaths in the UK are associated with sunbed use every year.
Now, a report published by British medical journal (BMJ) It was found that there are very few evidence strict rules on Sunbeds and would instead for a lump sum rest.
Using sunbeds in England and Wales in 2011 was banned from less than 18, but a 2025 survey by 100 melanoma focus UK Children aged 16–17 found that 34 percent were still using them.
A 2024 survey of 2,003 people in the UK also found that 43 percent of the respondents aged 18-25 used sunbeds, half of them were many unknown to weekly affiliated threats.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed to be carcinogenic for humans in 2009. The risk of developing cancer peaks when people use sunbeds when they are young, grow up to 59 percent with use before the age of 35.
Neither the number nor the number of sunbed outlets is monitored in the UK, the report has been highlighted. In January 2024, websites and social media data identified 4,231 sunbed outlets in England and 232 in Wales, with a population per 100,000 per 100,000 population in North West and North East England.
Distribution of sunbed outlets is also correlated with the highest rate in northern England, with melanoma rates in young people. During 2018-20, more than 2,600 new diagnoses were recorded in England in England, with two-thirds of cases and 146 deaths in women.
Since then, the rate of melanoma has been growing in England and is expected to move by 2040.
The professor of medical oncology and his colleagues wrote that the current situation in the UK is a clear example of a harmful product for a weak population of a harmful product. ,
Researchers explained that many people use indoor tanning to “improve their self -esteem” and provide a “base tan” that would prevent sun damage such as burning. But experts emphasized this “marketing promotes health inequalities with severe social loss.”
The tanning bed industry also promotes tanning to increase the level of vitamin D – which makes the body when exposed to sunlight. But sunbeds mainly emit UVA rays, while vitamin D synthesis requires UVB.
The current situation in the UK is “a clear example of a low-integrated industry that marketers a harmful product to a weaker population,” they write. “Immediate lump sum restrictions on public education as well as on commercial Sunbeds offer the most cost -effective solution to reduce skin cancer, save lives and reduce burden on NHS.”
They conclude: “The UK government has promised to prioritize prevention and reduce health inequalities. Commercial sunbeds target people who are the most deprived and are susceptible to loss.”
“Efforts enhanced to encourage the Sun safe behavior are severely required, but possibly a generation will have an impact.”