Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists: “We know that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes skin cancer, and sunbeds create a tan by emitting UVR, so we welcome the recognition that sunbeds are carcinogenic.

It is high time that steps were taken to regulate the industry, to prevent children using sunbeds, and to ensure that sunbeds are subject to health warnings like other known carcinogens. At the moment, many salons are free to advertise somewhat spurious health ‘benefits’ of using sunbeds, but offer no advice on health risks. Hopefully, categorizing sunbeds as a known carcinogen will prompt the government to introduce compulsory health warnings on tanning beds.

Recent research shows that  many sunbeds are not maintained, emit worryingly high levels of UV, and are not subject to any safety checks.”

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has moved sunbeds (UV tanning beds) up to the highest cancer risk category—group 1—‘carcinogenic to humans’. The use of sunlamps and sunbeds was until now classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (group 2A). For full Special Report see The Lancet: http://press.thelancet.com/tlosunbeds.pdf