Sunbed Use, Attitudes, and Knowledge After the Under-18s Ban

Abstract

Background: Sunbed use in childhood increases risk of melanoma. The under-18s sunbed ban was introduced in England, April 2011. Impact on use has not been investigated since. This cross-sectional study estimates the prevalence of under-18s' use in Sandwell after the commercial ban and identifies factors associated with use/intention. Methods: Adolescents aged 15 to 17 years in schools were surveyed using self-completed anonymous questionnaires. Data collected include demographics, sunbed use, tanning attitudes, knowledge of risks and ban awareness. All Sandwell schools were approached; adolescents available on the survey days were included. Results: Five out of 22 schools participated, 407 adolescents responded (95.1%). Twenty participants (5.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.4-8.0) had used sunbeds, of who 16 reported use in commercial settings. After exclusion of one school cohort with atypical use (possibly associated with beauty vocational course and European migrants), the prevalence of use was 1.7% (95% CI = 0.7-3.9, n = 5). Less than half of all were aware of the ban (48.2%; 95% CI = 43.2-53.3). Users/potential users were less aware of associated risks. Being female, having family/friends who use sunbeds increased use/intention 2-to 4-fold. Conclusion: Strategies targeting parents, stricter enforcement, and greater publicity of the ban are needed. Further research exploring the possible association between certain vocational courses, migrants, and sunbed use is required.

Behaviors of active sunbeds users and their knowledge on the potential health risks; results of cross‐sectional study in Poland

“…In our study, almost 1 in 5 participants declared to have previously used a sunbed; of which 73% were tanning this way on a regular basis (meeting our “AUS” criteria). The median duration of a single session was similar to those from an adolescent population of Sandwell in the United Kingdom but shorter when compared to German data . According to a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 88 studies from 16 countries, conducted by Wehner et al, approximately 19% of adolescents (14% within the past year), 55% of university students (43% within the past year) and 36% of adults (only 14% in the past year) stated that they have been exposed to indoor tanning.…”