Sunbed Use among 11- to 17-Year-Olds and Estimated Number of Commercial Sunbeds in England with Implications for a ‘Buy-Back’ Scheme

Abstract

Prior to 2011 legislation prohibiting children from using commercial sunbeds, the prevalence of sunbed use in 15- to 17-year-olds in some areas in England was as high as 50%. Despite significant decreases since 2011, children today still practice indoor tanning. We estimated current sunbed use in 11- to 17-year-olds in England, the number of available commercial sunbed units, and the associated cost of a ‘buy-back’ scheme to remove commercial sunbeds under a potential future policy to ban sunbeds. We undertook a calibration approach based on published prevalence rates in English adults and other sources. Internet searches were undertaken to estimate the number of sunbed providers in Greater Manchester, then we extrapolated this to England. Estimated mean prevalence of sunbed use was 0.6% for 11- to 14-year-olds and 2.5% for 15- to 17-year-olds, equating to 62,130 children using sunbeds in England. A predicted 2958 premises and 17,865 sunbeds exist nationally and a ‘buy-back’ scheme would cost approximately GBP 21.7 million. Public health concerns remain greatest for 11- to 17-year-olds who are particularly vulnerable to developing skin cancers after high ultraviolet exposure.

Tanning Bed Legislation for Minors: A Comprehensive International Comparison

“…Previous research has shown, however, that minors find loopholes to use tanning beds, despite a legal ban [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. However, data from some countries also revealed that tanning bed use in minors has decreased over time since the implementation of the ban [ 35 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…Previous research has shown, however, that minors find loopholes to use tanning beds, despite a legal ban [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. However, data from some countries also revealed that tanning bed use in minors has decreased over time since the implementation of the ban [ 35 , 40 , 41 ]. As we have seen in the US, several states allow commercial tanning bed use for minors when they have parental permission (consent or accompaniment).…”

“…An alternative concept to bans is the idea of so-called “buy-back” schemes that encourage the removal of tanning beds, while tanning bed operators are financially compensated for the enforced changes to their business [ 35 ]. An Australian study, for instance, showed that, after having banned commercial tanning beds, the interest in indoor tanning among the population has fallen, while the interest in spray tanning has remained high [ 43 ].…”

Cost‐effectiveness of a policy‐based intervention to reduce melanoma and other skin cancers associated with indoor tanning*

“…In the hypothetical scenario presented, all intervention costs were assigned to the public health campaign component of the intervention. An alternative use of resources would be to fund a ‘sunbed buy‐back’ scheme 7 to encourage commercial sunbed providers to repurpose their businesses. In a situation where an additional £10.97 million in intervention costs were available for this purpose, each provider in England could be paid £3709 per premise; 7 alongside the inclusion of a £1 million public health campaign (total intervention costs £11.97 million), this would remain a cost‐effective use of NHS resources.…”

“…Various strategies to reduce the harms associated with indoor tanning include increased taxation, public health campaigns and regulations restricting availability of commercial sunbeds 5 . Outright bans of commercial sunbeds have been introduced in Brazil, Australia and Iran 6 and there have been increasing calls from dermatological and oncological organizations to other jurisdictions, including populations that fall under the remit of the National Health Service (NHS) in England, to ban sunbeds 7–9 . Currently, commercial indoor tanning is legally available in the UK for those aged 18 years and older.…”