Tenovus backs Welsh MP’s bid to ban sun beds for under age teens

Tenovus, Wales leading cancer charity is in full support of the sun bed ban for under 18′s proposed today by Cardiff North MP, Julie Morgan. Wales alone has 500 cases of malignant melanoma a year, the most dangerous and potentially fatal form of skin cancer, resulting in 100 deaths.

The rise in incidence of this type of skin cancer is truly alarming; between 1996 and 2006, Wales saw the rate of malignant melanoma, in men and women double. The proposed bill, supported by Health Secretary Andy Burnham, if passed as legislation will see a ban in both Wales and England. Dr Ian Lewis, Research Manager at Tenovus said, “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. Skin cancer incidence is very strongly linked to over exposure to ultra violet radiation through sun beds, levels of which can be 15 times stronger than the mid day sun.”

Claudia McVie, Chief Executive of Tenovus said of the proposed bill, “Tenovus have campaigned fervently for changes to the law regarding sun bed use and unsupervised sun beds. We have delivered a 4000 strong signed petition to the Welsh Assembly Government in addition to giving evidence at their 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 back in August 2009. We hope this bill is passed and that it speedily becomes legislation to prevent the alarming skin cancer figures from rising further.

Tenovus also supports a wider ban on all unsupervised sun beds as this can and has led to life threatening situations including sun bed users suffering from extensive burns and we will campaign further to ensure this is recognised.” If any one would like to know more Information on skin cancer or Tenovus’ Sun Awareness campaign please click here or telephone our freephone support line on 0808 808 1010.

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