New powers for council on sunbeds

OWNERS of tanning salons, gyms and hotels in and around Leamington who are caught allowing under 18s to use sunbeds will from now on be prosecuted by council officials.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Nov 2011, 08:00 BST

Under a new law which came into force this year, local authorities are given powers to enforce the regulation of sunbeds and on Wednesday, Warwick District Council’s executive committee approved delegating these powers to the council’s environmental health officers.

Inspectors visiting salons are now able to issue fines, seize equipment, obtain power of entry and decide what measures to take if salon owners fail to comply with demands.

There is no requirement for salons to ask customers for ID but it is against the law to allow under-18s to use sunbeds, which are thought to increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Recent research shows that more than two people under 35 are diagnosed with malignant melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer - in the UK every day.