§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the(a) benefits and (b) risks to health of the use of sunbeds. [163892]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department has not made an assessment of whether there are any benefits to health from the use of sunbeds. Reports on the effects of ultra-violet radiation (UVR) from the National Radiological Protection Board, the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and the British Medical Association conclude that there is no direct evidence that sunbed exposure causes skin cancer.
By far the greatest source of UVR exposure is the sun. That is why we have taken measures to encourage the public to protect themselves and their children from the risks of unsafe exposure to the sun.
The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance for operators and customers of all solaria, including sunbeds. The advice is that people under 16 years old should not use sunbeds and that a limit of 20 sessions per year should be observed. This advice was developed after consultation with leading experts.