Sunbed ban backed by Nicola to become law

A NEW law banning under-18s from tanning salons is set to come into force — after being cleared by the Lords today.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill aims to combat the increase in skin cancer among young women.

It follows a Sun campaign to ban unmanned automatic sun beds, backed by Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts and Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna.

The Bill, which has cross-party support, was launched in January.

It places a duty on salon operators in England and Wales to prevent the use of sunbeds by under-18s and gives local authority officers increased powers to inspect the businesses and to penalise owners who breach the ban.

It will stop children hiring or buying sunbeds and outlaw automatic tanning salons.

Clear health information would also be required in salons, setting out the dangers of sunbed use.

A similar ban already applies in Scotland, and ministers in Northern Ireland have said they plan to bring forward legislation on sunbeds as soon as possible.

The Bill, which had already cleared the Commons, has now been sent for Royal Assent.

Source: The Sun