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Friday, 03 September 2010

Tuesday, 30 May 2006 10:25

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‘Skin cancer epidemic’ feared as number of sunbeds increases

Warnings over the cancer risks of tanning salons have not prevented the number of sunbed facilities in Scotland continuing to rise, a study has revealed.

Fears of a skin cancer epidemic have increased as the number of salons now operating across the country reached a record 810.

The survey, carried out by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), revealed that sunbed users are more at risk from skin cancer than ever because of faulty machines and poor hygiene.

There are also growing concerns about the use of sunbeds by children, as 44 parlours in the country still having no control over the age of their customers.

The annual number of complaints about skin burning, people becoming trapped in machines and poor standards of cleanliness has increased from 4 in 2003 to 49.

John Sleith, of REHIS, said the figures were just the "tip of the iceberg" because more tanning premises may be operating outside health and safety regulations.

"It is no exaggeration to say that Scotland faces a skin-cancer epidemic," he said.

"Since there is no national licensing system, there may be many more sunbeds in hairdressers' shops, beauty salons and other premises which are unknown to us.

"Our particular concern is that there are still unsupervised salons. It should be a requirement that all tanning parlours are staffed with operators, who can give appropriate advice and can monitor usage."

The British Medical Association has backed a campaign to introduce warnings on machines after research found that Scots topped up their tans more than 100 times a year.

Earlier this year, Labour MSP Ken Macintosh lodged a private member's bill in the Scottish Parliament and launched a public consultation to create a nationwide licensing scheme.

Genevieve Frisby, of Cancer Research, said: "Cancer Research UK is particularly concerned about reports of children using sunbeds. The under-16s should never use them.

"We also recommend that anyone with fair skin, lots of moles or freckles or a family history of skin cancer should avoid sunbeds."

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