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UK Government Proposes Ban on Unsupervised Sunbed Use for Under-18s

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UK Government Plans New Sunbed Ban to Protect Young People from Skin Cancer

The UK government is set to introduce new measures aimed at protecting young people from skin cancer, proposing a ban on unsupervised sunbed use for under-18s. These initiatives are a core part of the upcoming National Cancer Plan and are designed to strengthen existing regulations governing commercial sunbed operations.

Key Proposals

  • A comprehensive ban on unsupervised sunbed sessions for all users.
  • The introduction of mandatory ID checks to rigorously verify that all users are over 18 years of age.

Background and Rationale

Current legislation, the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, already prohibits individuals under 18 from using commercial sunbeds. However, recent investigations have revealed that teenagers, some reportedly as young as 14, are still managing to access tanning salons, thereby circumventing the existing ban.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies sunbeds as dangerous as smoking, stating that using a sunbed before the age of 20 increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 47%.

Health Minister Karin Smyth underscored the necessity for stronger protections, citing clear evidence that there is no safe level of sunbed use. She emphasized that these proposals are designed to tackle rogue operators and ensure proper enforcement of the law, aligning directly with the government's broader focus on preventing cancers.

Louise Dodds, a melanoma patient, shared her personal experience, highlighting the critical importance of understanding UV exposure risks. Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, welcomed the government's proactive steps.

Susanna Daniels noted that "34% of UK 16-17 year olds use sunbeds despite the ban, and melanoma rates in the UK have risen."

Public Health Context and Costs

In 2023, skin cancer diagnoses in the UK reached nearly a quarter of a million cases, placing an estimated annual burden of £750 million on the NHS.

Public awareness regarding the risks associated with sunbed use remains concerningly low.

Polling by Melanoma Focus indicates that only 62% of adults comprehend the link between sunbed use and cancer risk. Furthermore, nearly a quarter of 18-25 year olds mistakenly believe that sunbeds actually reduce cancer risk.

Next Steps

A public consultation on these proposed changes is scheduled to launch in Spring 2026, with the new rules potentially coming into force as early as 2027. Concurrently, the government will issue a call for evidence to explore further actions to reduce melanoma cases nationwide. The consultation will actively seek input from businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the tanning industry, to ensure that any new requirements are both proportionate and practically enforceable.