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France moves to ban sunbed adverts, access for children

MP and former skin cancer specialist Michèle Delaunay says tanning-induced melanoma is second-fastest-growing form of cancer among women.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

France's parliament approved a draft law Friday banning advertising for artificial tanning beds and salons, and prohibiting people under 18 from using the popular yet potentially dangerous ultraviolet technology, reports Yahoo! News.

The text also prohibits selling or giving away sunbeds to non-professionals, and is part of a wider health bill expected to be voted into law by year's end.

"Our fellow citizens don't know the risks they're taking... We are worried about the home use of these machines," said Health Minister Marisol Touraine.

The bill also introduces requirements that tanning salon staff receive proper training on the health risks of UV ray exposure.

Socialist legislator and former skin cancer specialist Michèle Delaunay said tanning-induced melanoma is the second-fastest-growing form of cancer after lung cancer among women.

Read more of this AFP report published by Yahoo! News.