Law Weblog

Baring barred

Thursday 14 April 2011 at 1:26 pm | In News | Post Comment

The Sunbeds Regulation Act 2010 now in force, means that under 18 year olds are no longer allowed to purchase time on a sunbed.

Six per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in England previously used sunbeds, rising to 50% of 15 to 17-year-olds girls in some areas.

Sunbeds increase the risk of getting skin cancer, with an estimated 100 deaths a year as a result. Two people under 35 are diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer every day in the UK.

Businesses who fail to comply with the new rules could be fined up to £20,000 if they allow anyone under 18 to use their sunbeds.

In Wales, from 31 October, sunbed use will have to be supervised, under-18s will not be able to buy or hire beds themselves and all adults will have to wear protective eyewear.