Cancer specialists are urging the UK government to ban all commercial sunbeds, arguing that current regulations have failed to prevent a surge in use among young people and are driving up skin cancer rates.
October 7, 2025
Source:
The Guardian
Experts Call for Total Sunbed Ban
Health experts are demanding an immediate and outright ban on commercial sunbeds across the UK, citing an alarming failure of current regulations to protect young people from the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. The call, published in The BMJ, highlights what researchers describe as an "under-regulated industry aggressively marketing a harmful product."
The proposal follows new data revealing a resurgence in sunbed popularity, particularly among younger generations influenced by social media trends.
Youth Usage Soars Despite Rules
Despite legislation in England and Wales since 2011 banning under-18s from using sunbeds, compliance is worryingly low. Key findings from recent surveys underscore the scale of the problem:
A 2024 Melanoma Focus survey found that 43% of people aged 18-25 use sunbeds.
A 2025 survey revealed that 34% of 16-17 year olds were still using them, in direct violation of the ban.
Geographic and Health Disparities
The link between sunbed availability and skin cancer rates is stark. There are over 4,400 sunbed outlets in England and Wales, with the highest concentration in the most deprived areas of northwest and northeast England. These same regions record the highest rates of melanoma among young people. According to NHS data, over 2,600 new melanoma cases were diagnosed annually in 25-49 year olds in England between 2018-20.
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Source:
The Guardian
Failed Regulations and a New Path
Experts argue that incremental regulatory changes have proven insufficient both in the UK and internationally. The persistent high usage rates among British teenagers show that the existing ban is not being effectively enforced or respected.
International Precedents
The call for a total ban is supported by evidence from other countries where partial restrictions have fallen short.
In the Republic of Ireland, regulations introduced in 2014 have failed to significantly reduce sunbed use among minors.
In Iceland, 15-17 year olds have become the primary users despite a ban for their age group.
This pattern of regulatory failure has led UK experts to advocate for a more decisive approach modeled on Australia, which has banned commercial sunbed businesses entirely.
The Proposed Solution
The proposal recommends "an immediate outright ban on commercial sunbeds alongside public education." This dual approach is presented as the most cost-effective method to reduce skin cancer diagnoses and save lives. To address the financial consequences for business owners, the proposal includes a government-backed buy-back scheme to compensate tanning salons for their equipment, aiming to ease the economic transition and mitigate industry opposition.
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Source:
The Guardian
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