Sunbed ban for under 18s
Friday, 13 Jun 2008 13:12
Under 18s in Scotland will not be able to use sunbeds
Following concerns about the health risks of sunbeds, politicians in Scotland have decide to ban under 18s from using them.
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.
Pressure has been placed 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.
In England the government is reviewing the options for the regulation of the sunbed industry.
Public health minister Shona Robison described the 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.
inthenews.co.uk brings you all the key responses and comments on the issue throughout the day.