UK public ‘backs sunbed ban for under-18s’

The vast majority of the British public support proposals to stop under-18s from using sunbeds, new research claims.

A survey by Cancer Research UK shows that 90 per cent of people want salons to be staffed at all times to prevent children from using them.

Meanwhile, 91 per cent have also called for health information to be provided to all users regarding the risks involved with using sunbeds.

Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s head of policy, said: “These results show the overwhelming support from the public for laws to be introduced to ensure that sunbeds are properly regulated and that people are aware of the dangers of using sunbeds.

Calls for a ban on children using the beds escalated earlier this year when a 14-year-old Welsh girl suffered 70 per cent burns to her body after using an unstaffed salon.

Kirsty McRae spent 19 minutes on the coin-operated sunbed without any supervision and had to be taken to hospital shortly afterward after suffering first degree burns.