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Scotland passes under 18s sunbed ban

13/06/2008

Under 18s in Scotland will no longer be able to use sunbeds after politicians passed a new public health bill yesterday.

MSPs also voted to ban the sale or hire of a sunbed to anyone aged under 18 and for sunbed operators to be required to provide users with information about the health risks of sunbed use.

Public health minister Shona Robison described yesterday's vote as passing a "major piece of legislation [that] will ensure appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the public from existing and emerging threats to public health".

She said the sunbed legislation "sends out a clear signal about the health risks to the wider public".

"Reform of our public health legislation from 1889 is long overdue and this bill will equip Scotland for a healthy future," Ms Robison added.

Pressure has been on politicians to strengthen the rules on sunbed use as research has shown that using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of skin cancer by up to 75 per cent.

Richard Davidon, Cancer Research UK's director of policy, said the charity is "delighted" with the result of yesterday's vote.

"Scotland is once again leading the way in public health across the UK. Skin cancer rates continue to rise sharply in Scotland so it is important that effective measures such as those in this legislation," he explained.

"We welcome the measures to inform people about the risks associated with using sunbeds. The new measures should help ensure that clear, accurate health information is displayed in all parlours."