Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment report on the health effects of UV radiation; and whether he plans to implement the recommendations in that report.

In 2009 the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) provided advice on the health effects from ultraviolet (UV) radiation in their 13th report. This related to the effects form sunbed use because of the evidence accumulating about the particular associations with artificial tanning devices. The committee has not produced any additional advice or recommendations on the general risks of UV exposure since their statement in 1992 about the general impacts of UV exposure. As a result, the Sunbeds Regulation Act 2010 was implemented to prohibit under-18s from using sunbeds. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the regulations and carry out inspections. The Department and the Health and Safety Executive have published guidance to support the enforcement and safe use of sunbeds, and Public Health England (PHE) continues to monitor the evidence on the impacts of the use of sunbeds.

PHE discourages the use of sunbeds for cosmetic tanning and provides information to increase awareness of the health risks of excessive exposure to UV radiation and advice for people to protect themselves. Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ultraviolet-radiation-and-sunscreen

An awareness campaign on the signs of skin cancer has also been carried out by PHE and NHS England.

PHE provides independent and expert advices on a range of topics, including UV radiation and staying safe in the sun. Further information can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/spring-sun-advice-from-public-health-england