Personal injury lawyers call for ban on child sun bed use
With sun beds becoming ever more popular and our children growing up faster than ever before, many young people, especially girls, are visiting sun beds to create an all year round golden glow.
This habit is extremely damaging and increases the risk of skin cancer immensely. And those most at risk are children, whose skin is young and sensitive to the harsh UV rays.
As a result, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers are calling for tanning shops which allow under eighteens to use their facilities to be prosecuted.
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers have told the Health and Safety Executive that salons allowing under eighteen use are failing to protect children from the harmful effects of sun bed use and for this reason they should be criminalised.
APIL chief executive, Denise Kitchener said: “There are serious health risks for anyone using UV tanning equipment, but we are particularly concerned about young people. While we welcome the HSE’s move to change the recommended minimum age from 16 to 18, we firmly believe youngsters will only be fully protected if this becomes law, which is what is proposed in Scotland.”
Ms Kitchener, along with the APIL, also believes that detailed warnings should be in use in all tanning salons, outlining the dangers of sun bed use.
“The HSE’s suggestion that operators should provide customers with advice does not go far enough,” says Ms KItchener. “We want to see warning signs in every sunbed cubicle and in full view of customers walking into a salon.
“Customers should also be asked to read and sign a consent form to ensure they understand the risks involved. It is essential people are given enough information to make an informed and educated choice before they go ahead.”
Updated on 8/6/2008