The Department of Health is reviewing options for the regulation of tanning salons with stakeholders, including the Health and Safety Executive and Cancer Research UK. It is important to consider ways in which to strike the balance between consumer safety and choice. We will focus initially on the harm to young people who use sunbeds.
The Minister will be aware that recent research suggests that sunbeds may be responsible for 100 deaths every year from skin cancer. Is not it time that, perhaps with the support of the Health and Safety Executive, a full review is conducted of commercial salons, with a view to drawing up legally enforceable guidelines for their management and operation?
I stress the importance of striking the balance between consumer safety and choice, while ensuring that the potential harm to those who use sunbeds, including young people, is made clear. The figure that my hon. Friend cites for the increase in deaths that are attributed to sunbeds is shocking. The review will consider several matters, including the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and restricting the age of those who use the beds. We will also ensure that correct information about the dangers is available to those who use sunbeds, and we also need to consider the role of local authorities.
It appears that demand for services from the beauty industry such as tanning, Botox injections and teeth whitening is increasing—[Interruption.] I have no interest to declare. [Hon. Members: “Shame!”] I know.
When the services go wrong, it can be physically damaging and stressful for those involved. Will the Minister’s review go wider than tanning to include the whole beauty industry, including the fillers that are put into people’s faces, to ensure that it is properly regulated?
The specific review to which I referred is, following from the cancer strategy, to consider sunbeds and the connection with skin cancer.
The hon. Gentleman raises another important matter: access to treatments that are normally paid for privately and may have health consequences for the individuals involved. The MHRA—Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency—covers several of those matters, but he is right to make the point about whether fuller advice to individuals who seek such treatments is available and where it should be available.
What updates does the Minister have on any discussions between the Department and the Department for Work and Pensions about the publication of leaflet IND(G)209 on sunbeds?
I think that my hon. Friend is referring to the review that the Health and Safety Executive conducted to look specifically at guidance on controlling the health risks of using UV tanning equipment—at least I sincerely hope that that is the reference number. If that is indeed the leaflet to which she referred, it will be published shortly.