Teenagers vow to keep tanning despite ban plan

0 Comments | Wales On Sunday (Cardiff, Wales), Oct 4, 2009

TEENS in Wales' tanning salon capital remain defiant in the face of a ban on under-18s using sunbeds.

Health Minister Edwina Hart this week announced plans to outlaw the use of sunbeds and unmanned salons by those yet to reach their 18th birthday.

The move came after two girls in South Wales - one as young as 10 - needed hospital treatment after suffering horrific sunbed burns. And experts claim sunbeds cause 370 cases of malignant cancer and at least 100 UK deaths a year.

But, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where there are more than 100 sunbeds on offer at almost 50 venues across the area, Wales on Sunday found teens determined to keep copying their favourite celebs' sun-kissed looks.

Paul Haines, a 17-year-old hairdressing student at Coleg Morgannwg, admitted being so addicted to his tan he can spend pounds 16 a week on coin-operated sunbeds - tanning for 16 minutes up to three times a week.

He said: "Politicians should be doing more to sort out knife crime, rather than worrying about sunbeds."

Although sunbeds have been widely linked to skin cancer, Paul says he uses them to improve his skin's appearance.

"I used to have bad acne but it cleared up from using the sunbeds," he said, adding: "I know about the dangers but I don't care - we're all going to die one day."

Ammie Roberts, a 15-year-old studying health and social care at college, said: "You see celebrities like Jordan and it makes you want to be that colour."

She insists she is sensible about using sunbeds because she knows the associated risks.

But she added: "The girls with tans are in the cool crowd and get the most attention from boys. The pales ones just seem to not have as much fun.

"I only go on for about four minutes at a time because I know I need to be careful. I don't think using them in moderation will do any harm.

"You've only got one life and you've got to live it - you could get knocked over by a bus tomorrow."

But her uncle and aunt, who own Tonyrefail's Ton Tan salon, disapprove.

Wayne and Kay Crichton told us: "We were shocked when we heard she was using sunbeds.

She won't come to our salon because she knows that she would get sent away straight away.

"We don't allow under-18s to use our facilities because we are following government guidelines. We're all about safe tanning here so we wouldn't want to see a youngster get harmed. We're got a good reputation and we don't want to tarnish it."

Gemma Bilenki, 16, said she's stayed away from salons after recently getting burned.

"I think I'm going to stick to using fake tan from now on."

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COPYCAT GLOW: Ammie Roberts