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Sunbed use of children aged 12-17 in 2023

21st February 2024

Results from a new Gallup survey show that around 8% of children aged 12-17 went to tanning beds once or more in 2023. This result does not differ significantly from the last survey conducted amongst the same age group, which was in 2016. The age limit for using tanning beds in Iceland has been 18 years since 2011. The reason for this is that using tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer and the risk is greater for children and young people than for adults.

Sunbed

The use of tanning beds in Iceland is regularly investigated by Gallup on behalf of the collaborative group on ultraviolet radiation. The collaborative group includes representatives from the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority, the Directorate of Health, the Association of Dermatologists and the Reykjavík Cancer Institute. Measurements of 12-17 years old lightbed use began in 2009 and is 26% then current measurement, but 8%. The ratio has therefore declined substantially since 2009.

According to the new survey, those who use tanning beds are primarily between the ages of 15 and 17. Only 1% of children aged 12-14 had used a tanning bed in the past year, but for 15 to 17 years old the proportion was 14%. The same proportion of girls and boys aged 12-17 had used a tanning bed in 2023.

When the 2023 results are compared with the 2016 results, it is shown that those who use tanning beds on other tables have increased frequency of exposure. For example, the number of people going weekly or more often to the light increases from 0.3% to 0.9% and the number of people going 1-3 times a month increases from 0.7% to 2.0%.

This year, a question was added that relates to the knowledge of young people of the dangers of using tanning beds. About 92% of the young people agree with the claim that using tanning beds can cause skin cancer. Those who have not used a tanning bed in the past 12 months agree more with this claim than those who have been exposed (93% versus 73%).

In 2019, the Nordic Radiation Safety and Healthcare Products Administration issued a circular advising people not to use tanning beds. The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority strongly recommends against the use of tanning beds, as their use increases the risk of skin cancer.

Icelandic Radiation Safety Authoroty

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Telephone: 440 8200

Email: gr@gr.is

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105 Reykjavík

ID number: 540286-1169