Nov 26, 2009 - 18:53

Campaign against solariums continues

The Swiss Cancer League has cautioned against visiting solariums to obtain an artificial suntan and has urged a ban for people under the age of 18.

The organisation said on Thursday that research results from international bodies had shown that the effects of the ultraviolet rays were carcinogenic.

In a statement it added that the minutes spent on a sun bed were dangerous for the skin and increased the risk of skin cancer.

The Swiss Cancer League pointed out that regular visitors to solariums under the age of 35 were at a particular risk.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization has warned that ultraviolet A rays activate melanin pigments in the upper skin cells and large doses of UVA cause premature ageing.

The cabinet has spoken against the creation of a special law protecting people who visit solariums.

Visits by those under 18 to solariums are banned in both Germany and France.

swissinfo.ch and agencies