Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will bring forward legislative proposals to require sunbed premises to provide prescribed health information to all users on the associated health risks, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

The Sunbeds Regulation Act 2010 was implemented to prohibit under-18s from using sunbeds. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the ultra violet (UV) tanning equipment operator must assess the risks caused by the work activity including those from exposure to UV radiation and take measures to control the risks, including the risk of skin cancer.

The Department and the Health and Safety Executive have published guidance to support the enforcement of the regulations and safe use of sunbeds and is available at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sunbeds-regulations-act-2010-guidance-on-the-implementation-of-the-sunbeds-regulation-act-2010

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg209.pdf

Public Health England (PHE) is currently refreshing its guidance on the use of sunbeds. PHE’s current advice is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sunbeds-safety-advice

The Department is currently considering whether these measures are effective for providing information to sunbed users.