Sunbed ban at leisure centres after cancer alert

March 08, 2010

Sunbeds have been pulled from all Trafford leisure centres amid rising concern about skin cancer.

Bosses of the trust in charge of all 10 of the borough's public facilities took the decision because of the association between sunbeds and the risks of developing the potentially terminal disease.

The last booths have been removed from Altrincham and Sale leisure centres, bringing a 12-month drive to eradicate the facilities to a close.

Bernie Jones, chief executive of Trafford Leisure Trust, said: "There has been growing concern about the use of sunbeds.

"Though some people have continued to use them regardless, they are nowhere near as popular as they once were.

"With the ongoing research into the risks of the sunbeds, we felt we could not continue."

More than 20 sunbeds were inherited by the trust when it took over responsibility for running leisure centres in 2004 - though it brought in a policy preventing under-18s from using them.

The sunbeds were owned by private firms and the decision to remove all facilities from the centres has been a gradual phasing out of those contracts.

The areas that housed the sunbeds are now being used for a variety of activities such as physiotherapy and sport massage. The trust's decision has been welcomed by bosses at Cancer Research UK.

Sarah Woolnough, the charity's head of policy, said: "It's fantastic to see the local leisure trust in Trafford is removing sunbeds from its leisure centres and Cancer Research UK fully supports this step.

"Sunbeds have no real health benefits and they increase the risk of malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.

"Having sunbeds in leisure centres which claim to promote healthy living sends a mixed message to the public.

"Rates of malignant melanoma are rapidly rising and experts think that 'binge tanning' on holiday and increased use of sunbeds is helping to fuel this rise.

"Cancer Research UK wants the government to take action nationally to better regulate sunbed use in salons."

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angel of the north, Chatsworth estate (08/03/2010 at 10:41)

Although I fully appreciate the link between skin cancer and sunbeds I can't help but think the government really don't think we are all able to make up our own minds about what to and not to do. I think closer monitoring and more information at places like leisure centres and schools would be a better idea let's all face it if your told not to do something your going to do it anyway! If they are so concerned with healthy lifestyle why sell chocolate bars and sweet drinks we might all start binge eating.

minnie royle (08/03/2010 at 12:38)

You would expect this sort of nanny state approach from socialist and liberal councils,but from a conservative one!Shows whats likely to happen when Cameron wins
If people choose to engage in a potentially harmful activity thats their business its nothing to do with the state

Blunt (08/03/2010 at 13:26)

I always find it amusing that as places which encourage health and exercise, leisure centres are also packed with vending machines selling fizzy drinks and chocolate and their cafes serve nothing but chips with chicken nuggets, burgers, hot dogs etc. Most of them have a bar too. Pot. Kettle. Black?

mysay, Manchester (08/03/2010 at 16:55)

I applaud Trafford Leisure Trust. I used to use sunbeds a few years ago, not excessively I might add, and then had a skin cancer scare. Believe me when your choice is a tan or your life, you vow never to use one again. Reserach has proved a strong link between sunbeds and skin cancer and I believe they are right to withdraw them.

To those people who believe the Trust is hypocritical because of vending machines i would ike to say this. The fact that people are at the lesuire centre in the first place means they are into some sort of activity/sport which has to be a good thing. A chocolate bar/fizzy drink after some form of exercise I'm sure never killed anyone!

I'm not saying people shouldn't have a choice, there are plenty of sunbed shops around, but providing something which can be life threatening in what is supposed to be "health" centre, is like selling cirgarettes at reception!

Ignoramus, Manchester (08/03/2010 at 17:16)

"Believe me when your choice is a tan or your life, you vow never to use one again."

Im glad you were able to make that choice, now others cant.

Ignoramus, Manchester (08/03/2010 at 17:17)

Its not a "health" centre, as you yourself start by saying its a leisure centre

local_lass, Burnage (08/03/2010 at 18:00)

For goodness sake its not like Trafford council have banned sunbed shops - they just aren't available in local authority leisure centres. The "choice" is still there if you want it. And while I'm sure their reasons were about protecting the public, their have already been cases of sunbed shops being sued for burns etc, its only a matter of time before they get sued for skin cancer.

As for the vending machines and bars, sugar and alcohol are both fine in moderation - sugar especially if you've just been exercising. What do you think is in all those isotonic drinks?

J smith (08/03/2010 at 19:52)

They ban sunbeds and at the same time hand out licences for Alcohol and Cigarettes, explain please?

Andanotherthing, Mcr (08/03/2010 at 22:39)

To Mysay

" To those people who believe the Trust is hypocritical because of vending machines i would ike to say this. The fact that people are at the lesuire centre in the first place means they are into some sort of activity/sport which has to be a good thing."

Or they are stuffing chips waiting for their kids to finish playing in the pool. Perhaps they only went in to work up a tan. A track suit does not automatically indicate atheletisism.

"A chocolate bar/fizzy drink after some form of excercise I'm sure never killed anyone !"

I bet someone somewhere has choked on a chocolate bar after a workout. May as well say " fat people don't eat salad " These places make money because of our poor lifestyles rather than the healthy ones. I bet the use of sunbeds has slumped in the last few years and that is why the leasure centre has "banned" them.

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