Tenovus celebrates ban on under 18's sun bed use
Monday 12th April 2010
Tenovus, Wales leading cancer charity is delighted by new legislation passed today that prohibits the use of sun beds by under 18’s.
The bill, passed today through the House of Commons, is the result of fervent campaigning including Tenovus’ 4000 strong petition and evidence presented to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee on the damage caused by sun beds, the risks of unsupervised salons and the definite links to skin cancer.
In January this year, Julie Morgan, MP for Cardiff North proposed a ban in parliament.
The ban will now be enforced in both Wales and England with immediate affect.
Dr Ian Lewis, Research Manager at Tenovus said,
“We are absolutely delighted with this new legislation and have campaigned strongly for this legislation to be passed over the last year.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in 15 to 24 year olds and South Wales has one of the highest incidences in the whole of the UK.
Wales alone has 500 cases of malignant melanoma a year, the most dangerous and potentially fatal form of skin cancer, resulting in 100 deaths. With cases of malignant melanoma doubling between 1996 and 2006 in both men and women.
This legislation will hopefully make a drastic difference to these alarming rates and encourage people to sun safe.”
Tenovus also calls for an educational programme to be rolled out to accompany the new legislation guiding people on how to be safe in the sun.
If any one would like to know more Information on skin cancer or Tenovus’ Sun Awareness campaign please check out www.tenovus.com or telephone our freephone support line on 0808 808 1010
