Written question asked by Frank Cook (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 June 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Sunbeds: Young People

Question: (2) what assessment he has made of the merits of prohibiting the commercial use of unsupervised, coin-operated sunbeds; and if he will make a statement;

Answer: The Government advise against the cosmetic use of sunbeds, including coin-operated sunbeds, particularly by minors. The Cancer Reform Strategy commits the Government to reviewing the options for possible regulation of the sunbed industry, and we are expecting in the near future the publication of the report on sunbeds of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation and the Environment (COMARE).SunSmart is the national skin cancer and sun protection campaign run by Cancer Research UK on behalf of the UK Health Departments. The 2009 campaign focuses on teenagers and young people, and aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of sunbeds and sunburn. As well as engaging with the media to promote skin cancer prevention, the SunSmart website at:"http://info.cancerresearch.org/healthyliving/sunsmart"provides information, advice and downloadable resources on the risks to health of sunbeds and sunburn. The campaign has also created interventions to reach young people through social networking sites.In addition the Department of Health in England has worked with the Health and Safety Executive who have recently issued revised guidance for sunbed operators and users.

Secondary information