Candid evidence on sunbeds gives more support to our fight for regulation of the industry

The Assembly’s Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee started hearing evidence yesterday into its inquiry into sunbed use in Wales. And it was certainly powerful evidence for the case FOR regulating the industry.

The mother of teenager Kirsty McRae who suffered 70% burns after using a coin-operated sunbed spoke to the committee of how worrying it is to not know what underlying damage may have been caused to her daughter’s skin, having been exposed to such a substantial dose of UV rays at a very young age. And the 14-year-old was able to use the sunbed without her parents’ knowledge and without anyone checking her age, because the very nature of these coin-operated machines means no members of staff needs to be present.

It’s partly because of cases like Kirsty’s that the committee is holding this inquiry, but it’s a shame that such extreme incidents have to happen, before even an inquiry is held, let alone action taken. As readers of this blog will know only too well, BMA Cymu Wales has campaigned for the tanning industry to be regulated for many years and in our evidence to the committee this is exactly what we’ll be calling for. We really can’t have any more repeat cases like Kirsty’s.