30p-a-minute tan sessions raise fears of skin cancer risk.

Byline: Madeleine Brindley Health Editor

A COMPANY was today condemned for offering sunbed sessions for just 30p a minute.

Health experts described Consol Suncenter as irresponsible and raised fears that children could easily access the unmanned, coin-operated beds.

The company, which runs unmanned salons across South Wales, including three in Cardiff, is promoting its 30p-a-minute offer throughout October.

For less than pounds 5 people are able to use the beds for 16 minutes at a time. Its salons state that the beds should not be used by under-16s.

Julie Barratt, director of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health in Wales, said: "People go in to the salons and take advantage of these offers. They don't think about the immediate effects or the long-term potential for skin cancer. They just see an opportunity to go from being fairly pale to sunburned and take it.

"The complete absence of any control mechanism means it is very dangerous.

There is nothing to stop under- 16s from using these beds and the risk is that children and older adults will use it to excess.

"Sunbeds are exactly the same as cigarette vending machines: they are machines that effectively promote cancer."

A report published by the International Agency for Research into Cancer last year found that people who started using sunbeds under the age of 35 increased their risk of malignant melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer - by 75%.

The British Photodermatology Group recommends that sunbeds are not used at all, but if they are, usage should be limited to no more than two courses a year of 10 sessions each. Health Minister Edwina Hart has written to the Department of Healthurging it to tighten the regulation of artificial tanning beds.

A spokeswoman for Consol Suncenters said: "During our short 30p-per-minute offer in October, any customer using our studios will do so in the safest possible tanning environment in Wales.

"Consol is the only company in the UK to comply with an EU declaration significantly limiting the output of sunbeds to minimise any risk of burning.

Consol limits sunbed session times so customers cannot takemorethan16minutes before the sunbed automatically shuts down.

"Consol also provides customers with a highly accurate skin tester developed by dermatologists to measure skin type and accurately advise on how long to use a sunbed.

Anyone determined to use a sunbed in an unsafe way can hire a sunbed at home or move from one sunbed studio to the next.

"It is our view that the limited strength and session times of our sunbeds, plus the accuracy of our skin tester and educational information available, is the most effective way of reducing inappropriate use of tanning equipment."

Dr Jodie Moffat, Cancer Research UK's science information officer, said: "This case highlights the need for legislation banning sunbeds wherever there is no supervision, as has already been done in Scotland."

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CONTROVERSY: The Consol Suncenter in Pontypridd