The Government has announced plans to crack down on illegal underage sunbed use, including banning unsupervised sessions and introducing mandatory ID checks, as part of its forthcoming National Cancer Plan
The Government has confirmed plans to strengthen sunbed regulations in England in a bid to reduce avoidable skin cancer risk among teenagers, following evidence that some tanning salons are continuing to flout the law by allowing under 18s to use sunbeds.
The proposals, announced by the Department of Health and Social Care and health minister Karin Smyth MP, include a ban on unsupervised commercial sunbed use and the introduction of mandatory ID checks to verify users are over 18.
A public consultation is expected to launch in spring 2026, with new rules potentially coming into force as soon as 2027.
Investigations reveal under 18s accessing tanning salons
Despite the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 banning under 18s from using commercial sunbeds, recent investigations have shown that teenagers as young as 14 are still gaining access to tanning salons.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified sunbeds as being as dangerous as smoking. According to WHO data cited by the Government, using a sunbed before the age of 20 increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 47% compared to those who have never used one.
Reducing exposure to avoidable cancer risks is a central pillar of the upcoming National Cancer Plan, which aims to make England a world leader in cancer survival.
Health minister says there is no safe level of sunbed use
Health minister Karin Smyth MP said stronger protections were needed to prevent young people being exposed to known carcinogens.
“Stronger protections on sunbeds are needed so people understand risks that could have deadly consequences.
“The evidence is clear: there is no safe level of sunbed use, yet too many young people are being exposed to a known carcinogen with little understanding of the risks.
“These proposals will crack down on rogue operators and ensure the law is properly enforced. Prevention saves lives, and we will do everything we can to protect people from avoidable cancers.”
Charity welcomes action on illegal sunbeds
Susanna Daniels, chief executive of Melanoma Focus, said the charity welcomed the Government’s plans to consult on sunbed use and strengthen enforcement.
“We are delighted that the Government is taking real steps to tackle the use of sunbeds by those under 18, as well as planning to consult on the use of sunbeds more broadly. The need for action is clear, with 34% of UK 16-to-17-year-olds using sunbeds despite them being illegal for under 18s.
“To protect your skin and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with melanoma or other skin cancers, we strongly advise against using sunbeds. Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.”
Reported low public awareness of sunbed cancer risks
The announcement follows concerns that public awareness of sunbed-related cancer risk remains low. Polling from Melanoma Focus shows that only 62% of adults are aware that sunbed use increases cancer risk, while almost a quarter of 18-to-25-year-olds wrongly believe sunbeds reduce their risk of cancer.
In 2023, there were almost a quarter of a million new skin cancer diagnoses in the UK, costing the NHS an estimated £750m annually.
NHS England national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit warned that the impact of sunbed use can be long-lasting: “A sunbed tan might only last a few weeks, but the damage can last a lifetime.
“Sunbeds blast your skin with high levels of UV radiation raising the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly for young people.”
Consultation to consider impact on tanning businesses
The Government confirmed the consultation will seek views from tanning businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to ensure any new requirements are proportionate and enforceable.
A separate call for evidence will also explore whether further action is needed to reduce melanoma cases.
The proposed Government crackdown follows increased scrutiny of sunbed advertising and safety claims, with Professional Beauty previously reporting on the Advertising Standards Authority banning sunbed ads for making misleading health claims.
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