The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has welcomed the Government’s proposal to tighten sunbed regulation as part of the National Cancer Plan. This initiative aims to help reduce harmful UV exposure among under-18s.

New proposals under the soon-to-be-launched Plan will strengthen requirements on sunbed providers, including banning unsupervised sessions and introducing mandatory ID checks to ensure businesses verify customers are over 18.

The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined plans to launch a consultation in Spring 2026, and new rules could come into force as soon as 2027.

Matthew Gass, Director of Communications at the British Association of Dermatologists, said:

“The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) welcomes the proposed Government crackdown on sunbeds under the National Cancer Plan, as sunbed use before the age of 35 increases lifetime melanoma risk by as much as 75%.

It is also estimated that sunbed use causes over 450,000 non-melanoma skin cancer cases and 10,000 melanoma cases annually in the US, Europe and Australia combined. Further, epidemiological studies have found an increased risk of ocular (eye) melanoma with sunbed use, especially for those who started artificial tanning before 20 years of age. Sunbed use has also been shown to be addictive and associated with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and other unhealthy behaviours.

On balance and as evidence suggests that existing age restrictions and guidelines have proven difficult to enforce effectively, the BAD would favour a complete ban on commercial sunbeds in the UK to protect public health and reduce the incidence of skin cancer and eye disease.”