| Professor James Ferguson also believes a national licensing system for operators is needed, rather than rules that would see them fined only £50 for not putting up safety signs.
Prof Ferguson has taken part in a Scottish Government consultation on draft regulations for sunbed operators.
These would prevent them from allowing anyone under 18 from using the equipment and ensure operators provide information to customers about the possible impact on their health.
The purpose of the regulations is to try to protect the public from skin damage and the increased risk of developing skin cancer as a result of sunbed use by ensuring they are fully informed of the risks.
The exact number of sunbeds in Scotland is unknown, but the Government reckons there could be up to 650 premises with them. Current health and safety laws do not allow for a minimum age restriction or for the mandatory provision of health information.
Prof Ferguson, who heads the photobiology unit at Ninewells Hospital, noted the draft regulations contain a health warning that states, “Sunbed use may damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.”
In his submission to ministers he urges, “Could the health warning be firmed up to ‘Sunbed use WILL damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer’?”
He has also suggested a copy of the warning notice be placed at the entrance to the premises, so customers have seen it before they arrange a sunbed session, and another copy in the sunbed cubicle, to give them a second opportunity to decide against using the equipment.
Prof Ferguson added that he and his colleagues were concerned the regulations did not go far enough.
The Government proposal explains that an operator’s failure to display the health warning would be dealt with by way of a fixed penalty fine of £50. Prosecution through the courts — with a potential fine of up to £2500 — is envisaged only for what are described as cynical or persistent offenders.
Dundee City Council was one of only two of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to take part in the consultation.
It notes there are 20 premises in the city which offer sunbeds, and it is worried about the potential costs it is facing in enforcing the regulations.
A council response stated, “In our experience the successful introduction and consolidation of new regulations depends on an enforcement campaign being launched soon after the operative date. A round of inspections and possible revisits will therefore be required.
“It should also be recognised that some sunbed operators will be reluctant to restrict their current business by complying with the new sunbed regulations. For example, they may display the necessary signs and provide the required information but fail to control the age limit.
“Local authorities enforcing the age limit requirement may have to use time- consuming investigatory methods to deal with this.
“There is also the possibility that publicity about the new regulations may lead to the public making complaints about sunbed operators which will then have to be investigated.
“We therefore believe the new regulations will impact on local authority resources.”
The Scottish Government is considering all the responses to its consultation, but it has ruled out the possibility of introducing a licensing scheme for now. |
