Hollyoaks Star comes to Parliament - 16th Jul, 2007

Actor Andy Newton-Lee visited Parliament for talks with Sian James MP about regulation of the sunbed industry.

Sian James MP said:

"I was delighted that Andy Newton-Lee has visited Parliament to give his backing my campaign to better regulate the sunbed industry

"Andy was diagnosed with skin cancer in August 2005 and he spoke to me about his experiences of having skin cancer and that he has had two operations to remove malignant melanoma on his legs.

"I believe that he is a great advocate for young people and warn them about the dangers of inappropriately using sun beds. He said he believes that young people should understand the warnings, that they should not use sunbeds, currently under the age of 16. We talked about the need to potentially raise this age to 18 and discussed educating young people about the risks.

"I am so pleased he is willing to support me on my campaign."

Although it is not illegal for youngsters under the age of 16 to use sun beds, the Health and Safety Executive does not recommend it.

Andy Newton-Lee said:

"I am supporting Sian's campaign so we can get coin- operated sun beds regulated. But it is not just about coin-operated sun beds, it is about greater regulation of the whole industry."

"We don't want to be lecturing kids and saying 'don't do that', but we want them to make an informed choice. If it can happen to me with my background and my dark skin type, no-one can afford to think that it won't happen to them.

"I would like the kids to understand the risk and to decide for themselves whether they think it's a risk worth taking, which in my opinion it is not."