The Ed.
Well-Known Member
New research from Cancer Research UK has revealed that approximately 50% of 15-17 year old girls use sun beds in Liverpool on a weekly basis. This is despite the Sunbeds Regulation Act (2010) implemented in April 2011 which made it illegal for under 18s to use sun beds.
The Liverpool City Council have responded to the research by launching their Look To Die For campaign in an effort to improve information given to sun bed users and to push for all premises with sun beds to be licensed.
Councillor Roy Gladden says that the campaign is about giving local authorities "the powers they need to protect locals" in the face of their "unhealthy obsession" with tanning beds. The council explained that they want legislation improved so that England falls in line with the rest of the UK.
"Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have gone a great deal further ensuring that materials in the outlets - whether it be salon, hairdressers or gym - has to inform people about the risks. They also insist that staff are trained and they supply things like goggles." Therefore, the council is pushing for every commercial sun bed in the city to be supervised by a "properly trained member of staff", to clearly display signage showing the real dangers of sun beds and for goggles to be provided for every user.
The council added that Liverpool has a "significant problem with sun bed use" and that "hundreds of Liverpudlians are going through our hospitals with melanoma every week."
Gladdon adds, "If you want to use the sun bed as an adult, you have every right to use it, but I want you to know the risks."
Gary Lipman from The Sunbed Association admitted the organisation were baffled by Liverpool City Council's decision. "We are at a complete loss as to why Liverpool City Council has launched this campaign as legislation which we fully supported has been in existence for a number of years."
"All local authorities have the authority and duty to enforce compliance with legislation and regulations through Trading Standards. With legislation in place, it is a concern that Liverpool City Council does not appear to be fulfilling its obligation to clamp down hard on any business that is breaking the law."
The campaign will also host a series of events throughout the city in August and September such as fake tanning demos and events in school's and colleges. The campaign is backed by the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Cancer Research UK.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
The Liverpool City Council have responded to the research by launching their Look To Die For campaign in an effort to improve information given to sun bed users and to push for all premises with sun beds to be licensed.
Councillor Roy Gladden says that the campaign is about giving local authorities "the powers they need to protect locals" in the face of their "unhealthy obsession" with tanning beds. The council explained that they want legislation improved so that England falls in line with the rest of the UK.
"Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have gone a great deal further ensuring that materials in the outlets - whether it be salon, hairdressers or gym - has to inform people about the risks. They also insist that staff are trained and they supply things like goggles." Therefore, the council is pushing for every commercial sun bed in the city to be supervised by a "properly trained member of staff", to clearly display signage showing the real dangers of sun beds and for goggles to be provided for every user.
The council added that Liverpool has a "significant problem with sun bed use" and that "hundreds of Liverpudlians are going through our hospitals with melanoma every week."
Gladdon adds, "If you want to use the sun bed as an adult, you have every right to use it, but I want you to know the risks."
Gary Lipman from The Sunbed Association admitted the organisation were baffled by Liverpool City Council's decision. "We are at a complete loss as to why Liverpool City Council has launched this campaign as legislation which we fully supported has been in existence for a number of years."
"All local authorities have the authority and duty to enforce compliance with legislation and regulations through Trading Standards. With legislation in place, it is a concern that Liverpool City Council does not appear to be fulfilling its obligation to clamp down hard on any business that is breaking the law."
The campaign will also host a series of events throughout the city in August and September such as fake tanning demos and events in school's and colleges. The campaign is backed by the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Cancer Research UK.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
