Anyone under the age of 18 could be banned from using sunbeds and a fine could be given to the shop if they are allowing under 18's to use the sunbeds, good idea? Bad idea?

I'm in the middle... I think. I've used sunbeds, yes they're proven to cause skin cancer. People know this, but they still choose to use them. Will making a law actually stop them from using them? No, I don't think so, it would be the same as alcohol and cigarettes, they get hold of them. Teens are looking older and older these days, a 16 year old could easily pass as 18.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/n...000/7196861.stm

I think it's a bad idea. It's someone's choice whether they want to use it or not, and banning it would (imo) make it even more popular within teens.

I do think its a good idea. I think it should be treated the same as alcohol being sold. ID for people who look under 25.

They have put the age to buy cigarettes to 18, alcohol is 18 and i dont hear people crying out its someones choice if they want to get drunk and smoke. Yes, people have choice, but we still need to protect young people, and i think a 16 year old is very easily influenced but friends, magazines etc. Hopefully, as they get older they learn to decided things for themselves and their health.

I am VERY against sunbeds. My best friend is currently going through hell because his sister (24) has got skin cancer. She used sunbeds every week. She has a 4 year old daughter. Its not pleasant. Why anyone would go on them anyway is beyond me.

Sunbeds in general should be banned. Their creation is toxic and using them is dangerous overal, both physically and mentally (reinforcing the image that tanned is better etc).

I for one don't see an issue with the rule. You have to be 18 to smoke, so 18 to use a sunbed is reasonable.

I think it should come into effect across the whole of the UK, and no doubt it will do soon enough. Sunbeds should definitely be treated the same way as alcohol and cigarettes, since they're just as harmful to your health. Young people under the age of 18 are especially vulnerable to UV rays, so it makes sense to give sunbeds age restrictions.

I've never understood why some people are so ''addicted'' to tanning beds anyways.

Image, they believe they have to look a certain way to be "worth" anything. It's a bit pathetic, but that's fashion for you.

Obviously some people don't maintain tans (people with fair skin, usually) so they have to go, or feel they have to go, weekly to top up their tan. I don't really understand the need to always have tanned skin though tbh... fair skin can look so beautiful.

Last year, I went everyday for a month. I don't know what I was thinking.

EVERYDAY?!
Thats crazzzzy.

Glad youve stopped it now.

Where I live you cant go tanning under 18 unless you get signed parent consent, and its the law. (Its been changed in the past year to this rule.) For some reason, there are places where this dosent apply?

Anyways, Im an avid tanner, and although Im turning 18 in less then a month, I think it should be under 16, not 18. Youre allowed to drive a car at 16, why cant you tan? Its your money, your body, your choice. You deal with the consequenses.

Since tanning is as dangerous as smoking, apparently, you need to be an adult to make the choice. You are under 18, you aren't an adult.

Yeah, everyday. It would be what I was looking forward to after college. I started tanning when I was 14.

I've personally never used a sunbed, ive wanted to because i hate the fact im so pale but i just know id have to keep going to keep a little bit of a tan

my friend on the other hand used to go everyday but shes cut down to every other day, i think its madness
i think banning them would just make them want to use more
maybe cutting how much they can use somehow?
but your taking the same risk in the sun like when you go on holiday with the skin cancer and that

I dont think you could limit how much someone used them. It wouldnt work.
So an age restriction is they way forward.

And here, you have to be 17 before you can learn to drive. And to pass your test to drive alone you have to proove you can be sensible and understand the roads etc. It cannot be compared to letting a young teen go and fry themselves on sunbed.

I remember once last year, I went to 3 different sunbed shops in 1day.

^and I think that there proves that people are still going to keep going, and going. It almost seems like an addiction.

I think the only thing to do is educate people.. just make sure people are educated before allowing them to tan. Make the tanning places go over the risks, and everything to a first time tanner. Like a pack of cigarettes, they have the big pictures 'Smoking can cause HEART FAILURE.' Do the same for tanning.

I agree. When you put an age restriction on something, you have to spend the money to educate people as to WHY there is a need for it to be restricted. If every teen who was considering using sunbeds knew that by doing so you can increase your chances of skin cancer by up to 75%, then at least some would be put off. Not everyone will stop using them because of the risks (as many people do still smoke), but at least you would then get some kids saying 'Never have used a sunbed, never want to' as some say about smoking cigarettes.

But there are ALREADY small restrictions already placed on tanning beds in some states. EX: You can only go once a day (has to be at least 24 hours) or the salon can be fined. EX: You can only go for so long and there is a limit. EX: Eyewear protection is a MUST.
... At least in Massachusetts, not sure of other locations.

As far as I know there aren't any laws in Canada...

The only law we have is that they can't be used by under 16s. There's even still un-staffed coin-operated sunbeds out there, which means anyone can use them really. They definitely should be banned!

Yeah, but then you go and use a different tanning shop like I used to. I never wore the eye protection either.

QUOTE (cuddelykins-xo @ Jul 30 2009, 12:21 PM)

Yeah, but then you go and use a different tanning shop like I used to. I never wore the eye protection either.

Well then that's your problem, innit?

Kind of yeah. BUT. She was young etc, she should have even been allowed near a sunbed in order to do this!

Actually, I just heard on the radio today that they're thinking of adopting the exact law as this one. Our government is pretty slow at adopting laws though, so it'll be awhile before we actually see this happening.

Lol Jennifer just swoops in with all this Canadian Law knowledge

I don't think I'll ever use them, mainly because of the added cancer risk, but my view had always been, why pay money for something you can get the sun to do for free. lol

QUOTE (ex-oh-ex___love @ Jul 29 2009, 11:52 AM)

I think it's a bad idea. It's someone's choice whether they want to use it or not, and banning it would (imo) make it even more popular within teens.

but isnt it someone's choice to smoke, drink, have sex... etc? all those things have age limit laws too. sure indoor tanning hasn't had the evidence of being as harmful as smoking, or imparing/harmful as drinking... but it has been linked to many health risks too.

if there is going to be an age limit, i think 16 is more reasonable. honestly it wouldn't be the end of the world. i love indoor tanning, but seriously... just go outside and get a real tan if you're under age.

Exactly. If Vicki was under 18 at the time and they had to ask for ID each time, she wouldn't have been able to use any of them.

Oh, to be young and stupid. At least with an age restriction, you're just stupid.

If they put health warnings/age restrictions on cigarettes and smokes due to the badness of them, why not tanning beds? I don't understand how people don't think it would work. If you don't have ID, you can't use them.

I've never been asked for ID to use a sunbed, even when I was 13/14. Never. They didnt bat an eyelid. They were friendly. I went in there so much, they even knew my name!

I've never been in a tanning bed. My friend wanted me to come to her salon to get myself tan for prom but I never went. I'd rather be white now than get cancer.

Probably because they were in no danger of prosecution for letting you tan. That's what I mean, if they were in danger of the fines retailers get for selling booze/smokes to under-18s then there WOULD be the pressure to do ID checks.

Yeah, there was always a sign saying "anyone under the age of 16 MUST be supervised by an adult" though and I always went on my own.

But are they FINED for breaching this, or is it just an industry precaution?

I totally agree with you! If sunbedding hires the risks of skin cancer by 75% for young people, age restriction is urgently needed! I am so glad I've never used any...

There's a petition circulating on the web at the moment to campaign for age restriction on sunbeds and promote responsible tanning in UK. It's really quick to join and may help change things..

http://sttropezskinsmart.org/sign-the-st-t...nsmart-petition

I see women in the shopping centers who must lay under those things 2 hours a day. You can spot them a mile away as their orange tan skin is so unusual. But from what I have read and understand those tanning beds, health wise, are bad news on the installment plan.