Regulate Sunbeds Say Doctors, British Medical Association Northern Ireland

Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 20 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The BMA in Northern Ireland welcomed the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's consultation into the regulation of the sunbed industry in Northern Ireland.

Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the BMA's Northern Ireland Council said,

"Doctors are concerned about the rising incidences of skin cancer in Northern Ireland and the access that people have to sunbeds for cosmetic use.

"Doctors do not recommend using sunbeds for cosmetic purposes as their use can result in severe skin and eye damage. We believe that there should be a thorough regulation of sunbed operators, and that tighter controls will have a positive impact on skin cancer prevention efforts".

Dr Darragh continued,

"Sunbed use provides intense exposure to ultraviolet light and using sunbeds just once a month is enough to double an individual's annual dose of UV radiation.

Doctors are particularly concerned by evidence that children are using sunbeds. Children are especially sensitive to ultraviolet light, and just one day of burning as a child increases the risk of getting skin cancer as an adult".

The BMA(NI) will be making a response to this consultation, and intends to call for:

- a ban on children under the age of 18 from using sunbeds
- a ban on coin operated, unsupervised tanning booths

Source
British Medical Association Northern Ireland

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