Commercial sunbeds should be banned in the UK
Indoor tanning is experiencing a boom in popularity, particularly among Gen Z (born 1997-2012), with social media promoting sunbeds as integral to wellness. Recent surveys report that 28% of the UK public use sunbeds.1 Future use may be influenced by the government’s cancer plan, a forthcoming review by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE), and an inquiry into ultraviolet safety by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Beauty and Wellbeing launched in May 2025 and the inclusion of sunbeds in the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners’ considerations of safety of non-surgical aesthetic procedures. However, existing sunbed legislation is clearly ineffective, and there is little evidence that stricter rules would help protect those who are most vulnerable.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunbeds was carcinogenic to humans, causing melanoma and other skin cancers.2 The risk of developing these cancers peaks with use when young: use before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%.3 Based on this evidence, and on the 2009 COMARE report,4 the Sunbed Regulation Act 2010 prohibited use by people under 18 in England and Wales. The COMARE report also recommended regulation of sunbed facilities with mandatory registration, provision of health risk information, informed consent before use, adherence to irradiance limits, and regular inspections to ensure compliance,4 but these were not enacted.
Since then, melanoma rates have continued to increase in England and are projected to rise further by 2040.5 Some evidence suggests melanoma incidence has stabilised in 25-49 year olds and fallen in 15-24 year olds in England over the past 7-10 years.
Source:
Commercial sunbeds should be banned in the UK doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-085414