Health · Public Health & Disease · 47 mins ago
UK watchdog orders sunbed firms to stop misleading health claims
The UK advertising watchdog has ordered sunbed firms to review their ads and stop making misleading claims about safety or health benefits.
The Committee of Advertising Practice says advertisers must not describe sunbeds as safe or link their use to treating medical conditions.
The notice follows claims that sunbeds could ease eczema, improve brain function and help with other health problems.
Advertisers have until 7 December to change their ads, after which the watchdog says it will act against rule-breakers and use automated monitoring to find adverts that break the rules.
Sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer, and the watchdog says misleading claims could lead people to use them instead of seeking medical advice.
The Sunbed Association supports action on misleading ads but says salons should be able to explain how they operate responsibly.
The Committee of Advertising Practice has issued a UK-wide enforcement notice telling sunbed advertisers not to claim their beds are safe or can improve health.
Advertisers have until 7 December to review their claims, after which CAP says it will take swift action against rule breakers.
CAP says misleading health claims could encourage sunbed use or deter people from seeking medical advice.
The Sunbed Association supports action against misleading adverts but says salons should be able to explain how they operate responsibly.
- Who
- The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) issued the notice to sunbed advertisers.
- What
- Advertisers must not present sunbeds as safe or as a way to treat medical conditions or improve health.
- When
- The notice was issued on 12 November 2026. Advertisers have until 7 December to get their ads in order.
- Where
- The notice applies across the UK.
- Why
- CAP says misleading claims could downplay cancer risks, encourage sunbed use or discourage people from seeking appropriate medical advice.
CAP
The Sunbed Association
Health claims
CAP
Advertisers must not link sunbed use to health benefits or suggest that sunbeds are safe.
The Sunbed Association
It supports action against misleading advertising but says businesses should be able to explain that they operate responsibly.
Business communications
CAP
CAP says advertisers must review claims and remove those that break the rules.
The Sunbed Association
The association says professional salons should be allowed to communicate their staff training, customer screening and compliance with standards and legislation.
The Advertising Standards Authority banned five ads claiming sunbeds could help treat or manage conditions or provide wider health benefits.
CAP issued an enforcement notice to sunbed advertisers.
The deadline for advertisers to get their ads in order.
- Regulator
- Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP)
- Scope
- UK-wide enforcement notice
- Advertiser deadline
- 7 December
- Sunbed use and melanoma
- Use before age 35 is linked to a 59% increased risk of melanoma later in life, according to the World Health Organization
- Young users
- About one in seven UK 18-to-24-year-olds said they used a sunbed in the past year, according to a 2025 YouGov survey
3 sources
What people are saying
Sunbeds carry serious health risks, including an increased risk of skin cancer.
We fully support action against misleading advertising. But there is a world of difference between claiming something is risk free and explaining that a business operates responsibly.
We want young people to be properly informed about the risk of sunbed use and we recommend using trusted, regulated sources to find out information such as the NHS, external or cancer charities, external,