GET HOT BUT USE PROTECTION!

1.19.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 12th Aug 2006

Sharon Bowles MEP is urging sunbathers to take care in the sun

Labels on suntan lotions have been condemned as flawed and potentially dangerous by the European Commission.

With incidents of skin cancer having doubled in the past 20 years, new rules are to be introduced to make sunscreen labels clearer and easier to understand.

Skin cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancer in the UK and the majority of cases are caused by exposure to UV radiation either from the sun or artificial sources including sunbeds.

People are often unsure how much protection the variety of factors, star ratings and other claims on sunscreen bottles offer them from dangerous UV rays.

And now the European Commission is introducing new measures to ensure sunscreen labels are clearer and easier for users to understand how well shielded they will be from UV rays. Claims of 'total protection' and brand names such as 'sunblocker' will be phased out as they give people a misleading false sense of protection and safety.

South East Euro-MP Sharon Bowles has welcomed the new labels to help people avoid uncomfortable and potentially dangerous burns.

She said: "Sunbathers must be made aware that no sunscreen can provide 100 per cent protection against hazardous UV radiation. But creams do need to be clearly labelled so people have enough information on the best way to have safe fun in the sun."

Although skin cancer is rare in childhood, it is UV damage to young skin that contributes most to later risk. Of the five most common cancers in young people melanoma is unusual in being almost entirely preventable, through avoiding burning and being SunSmart (see below).

The new labels that could be introduced as early as next year differentiate between the types of hazardous UV rays.

Notes to Editors

Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org) recommends people remember the SunSmart code for staying safe in the sun.

S pend time in the shade between 11.00 and 15.00

M ake sure you never burn

A im to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses

R emember to take extra care with children

T hen use factor 15+