PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called for tight new government restrictions on unstaffed coin-operated tanning salons, to stop children getting skin damage.
He has backed a Parliamentary move to prosecute and punish people who allow them to be used by under 16s. He is one of 52 MPs to sign a House of Commons Early Day Motion on the subject.
EDMs appear on the Commons Order Paper Parliament's daily agenda sent to all MPs, Ministers and senior civil servants raising issues in the hope of prompting action.
The motion reads: "We express concern that children aged 16 years and under have easy walk-in access to unstaffed coin-operated tanning salons.
"We note that some operators charge as little as 25p per minute for a tanning session.
"We are concerned coin-operated centres do not have trained staff to provide advice and assistance and to restrict access.
"We believe that unstaffed salons can be inappropriately used by children and people with health problems who should not use sunbeds.
"We recognise that such salons rely on posters to provide awareness on exposure to UV rays and skin types that are not appropriate for tanning.
"And we call on the Government to restrict the use of coin-operated tanning equipment and to fine and prosecute operators of unstaffed coin-operated salons who allow children access to tanning equipment."
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