Ban on sunbeds could benefit teens' health
A proposed ban on sunbeds for under 18s could have a positive effect on teenagers' wellbeing, according to a health expert.
Rebecca Freeman, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said that by regulating the sunbed industry more people would become aware of the health risks associated with the machines.
Ms Freeman believes the decision by the government to back a private members bill to ban under 18s from using sunbeds is a step in the right direction in the fight against skin-cancer.
"Adults have the right to choose what risks they expose themselves to, but children should not have access to facilities that could endanger their health," she said.
"The current lack of regulation within the sunbed industry means that children have easy access to unmanned salons." Andy Burnham, secretary of state for health, said he was determined to take action to protect youngsters from the dangers of sunbed use and confirmed his support for the proposed bill.
In a report released last year by Cancer Research UK, six per cent of children aged 11-17 said that they had used a sunbed.
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