AMs' sunbed health risk inquiry

Kirsty McRae suffered burns to 70% of her body in an unstaffed salon

Assembly members have called for evidence on whether more controls are needed on tanning salons in Wales.

An inquiry is examining whether the industry needs tighter regulation following a number of high profile cases involving children being burned.

It is particularly concerned about the use of unsupervised tanning booths which are banned in Scotland.

Independent UK Government advisory committee Comare, wants laws to enforce regulations in the industry.

Meanwhile, the Sunbed Association (TSA), which represents the industry, says it would welcome measures to close those salons.

Darren Millar, chair of the health and well-being committee, said the decision to hold an inquiry came in the wake of an increased public awareness of the potential health risks associated with sunbed use.

"There seems to be a growing body of evidence that indicates that the use of sunbeds over an extended period increases the risks of certain skin cancers," said the AM.

Evidence call

"In addition, there is mounting public concern that ever-younger children are regularly using sunbeds, which in the past have resulted in severe burns for some users and at worst, an increased risk of skin cancer.

If you are old enough at 16 to get married, or join the army, it seems wrong to say you are not old enough to decide if you want to use a sunbed Kathy Banks, TSA

"At the moment, there is no effective regulation on either the provision or the use of sunbeds in Wales, and the committee felt strongly that sunbed use in Wales should be made as safe as possible."

The committee inquiry follows recent cases of children being injured using sunbeds in Wales, including a 10-year-old from Port Talbot.

Kelly Thompson had to be treated at a burns unit in Swansea in April after spending 16 minutes on an unsupervised, coin-operated sunbed.

In another incident, a 14-year-old girl from the Vale of Glamorgan suffered burns to 70% of her body in February.

Kirsty McRae, from Barry, spent 20 minutes under the lamps of a coin-operated sunbed while the salon was unstaffed.

The assembly committee is calling for interested groups and individuals to submit written evidence to it, and it will also hear evidence from experts and members of the industry in July.

Kelly Thompson was off school for a week after 16 minutes on a sun bed

TSA Chief Executive Kathy Banks said she welcomed the opportunity to address AMs. Her members, she added already enforced a strict ban on children using sunbeds.

"TSA has always had an age restriction - no-one under 16 is allowed in our salons," she insisted

"As to whether that age restriction should be 18, which has been suggested by some people, we remain unconvinced at the moment.

"If you are old enough at 16 to get married, or join the army, it seems wrong to say you are not old enough to decide if you want to use a sunbed."

However, she did support calls for stricter controls on unsupervised tanning saloons and unrestricted coin-operated sunbeds.

"We will not have unsupervised salons as members," said the TSA chief executive.

"We would support any action to shut them down."

However, TSA disputed claims that tanning salons were responsible for a rise in skin cancer, arguing that it is exposure to excessive natural sunlight over a number of years that contributes to the disease.

"Shutting down tanning salons would have a minimal impact on the levels of skin cancer," argued Mrs Banks.