Julie Morgan’s Private Members Bill Receives Government Backing

BMA Cymru are delighted with the news that Julie Morgan MP’s private members bill which would ban under 18’s from using sunbeds, and ensure all sunbed use in England and Wales would be supervised has received Government backing.

Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health has stated he will take action to protect young people from the harm that sunbeds cause. He has noted the clear scientific evidence that sunbeds increase the risk of getting cancer and voiced his support for the bill.

I’m also glad to see celebrities such as Nicola Roberts from the popular band Girls Aloud, supporting the Bill and being a positive role model for young people.

Julie Morgan is hoping that the bill becomes law before the UK general election and we certainly hope so too.

BMA Cymru have campaigned heavily last year in Wales for tighter regulation of the sunbed industry, in particular for a ban on coin-operated / unsupervised salons and a ban on the use by under 18s. We were delighted last year when the National Assembly for Wales Health Committee took our recommendations from their inquiry forward, and await the debate in Plenary this term.

We will continue to do everything we can to support Julie Morgan. Our public affairs team are seeing Julie on Friday to discuss the Bill and what more can be done in Wales. They will be filming Julie for our Youtube channel. Tune in soon to find out more.