Sunbeds definitely "carcinogenic to humans"

An international cancer research agency has said there is no doubt that sunbeds or lamps cause skin cancer.

The report published in the Lancet Oncology says that sunbeds are definitely "carcinogenic to humans" and are now assessed as being equally as dangerous as smoking and exposure to asbestos.

Previously the International Agency for Research on Cancer said that sunbeds and sunlamps were "probably carcinogenic to humans". However, campaigners hope that the new assessment of sunbed dangers will encourage tighter regulation of the industry.

Research says that the risk of a melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, increases by 75% in those who begin using tanning beds before the age of 30.

Cancer Research UK blames sunbeds for quadrupling of skin cancer cases in 30 years and the number of patients with melanomas topping 10,000 last year. However the UK's Sunbed Association said that there was no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer.