SunSmart's work with government

Cancer Research UK works with the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service in Westminster to run a Molewatch clinic in Parliament. At these clinics dermatologists and skin cancer nurses from hospitals in London provide skin checks for MPs, Peers and all staff working at the Palace of Westminster.

In July 2009 Cancer Research UK held its first Molewatch clinic in the National Assembly for Wales. As in Westminster, the clinic aimed to raise awareness about being SunSmart in the summer sun and offered Assembly Members and their staff the opportunity to have their skin checked by dermatologists and specialist nurses.

We update members of all Parliaments on the SunSmart campaign's progress on a regular basis. We have also developed briefings on key issues including sunscreen and sunbeds.

Some Parliamentarians have shown an active interest in skin cancer and the SunSmart campaign through parliamentary questions, motions and debates. The Public Affairs team can help by providing individual briefings and parliamentary support.

At the beginning of 2010, we worked with Julie Morgan, the previous MP for Cardiff North, and Sian James MP and Baroness Finlay to campaign for legislation to address this problem. After an intense campaign with lots of meetings, letters and emails from our supporters, and an appearance in Parliament by Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts, the hard work paid off when just four months later MPs passed the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act that restricts the use of sunbeds to over 18s.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act came into force on April 8th 2011 to help protect the most vulnerable by stopping under 18s from accessing sunbeds. This legislation is an important first step to help turn the tide of skin cancer in the UK. 

Check out our blog post for more information.

In June 2008 the Scottish Parliament passed the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act, which included measures to regulate sunbed use in Scotland. These regulations came into force in December 2009 and prevent under 18 year olds from using sunbeds, as well as ensuring that all sunbed salons are staffed, and that all adults are given appropriate health information about the risks associated with sunbed use.

Cancer Research UK worked with MSP Ken Macintosh to support the legislation, and we developed a joint campaign with the Scottish Government to promote the regulations coming into force.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently considering legislation to regulate the sunbed industry. The Bill has cross-party support and it goes further than legislation elsewhere in the UK, with plans to bring in a licensing scheme for sunbed salons.

Cancer Research UK provided a briefing on sunbeds for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and has submitted written evidence to the Committee considering the Bill. We will continue to provide assistance and information to MLAs on this issue and to support the passage of the legislation.

See our Public Policy web pages for more information on how we work with government and to download our briefing documents.

You can contact us on 020 3469 8360 or by email on publicaffairs@cancer.org.uk