Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the link between sunbed usage and diagnosis of melanomas; and if he will make a statement.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has assessed ultraviolet radiation (UV) emitting tanning devices as “carcinogenic to humans” based on consistent evidence of a positive association between their use and incidence of melanoma.

In the United Kingdom the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment have published advice to the Government on the health effects and risks from UV sunbeds. Their report concluded that there is evidence to suggest an increased risk of skin cancer among those who use sunbeds before the age of 35. The ‘UV radiation exposure health risks from artificial tanning devices’ report is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comare-13th-report