SALON owners who allow children to use their sunbeds could face fines of up to £20,000 from today.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, which aims to protect under-18s from the health risks associated with sun beds, comes into force today.

The legislation comes after a long-running campaign, Sunbed Safety, set up by The Northern Echo, which sought a change in the law regarding the minimum age at which someone was allowed to use a sunbed.

The campaign was set up in 2008 after 15-year-old Katie Turner, from Darlington, had to have hospital treatment for burns after a 20-minute session at a tanning salon.

Sunbeds are classified as as dangerous as cigarettes by the World Health Organisation, with over-exposure to UV rays being the main cause of skin cancer.

The act will prevent under- 18s from: 􀁥 Being allowed to use tanning salons and sunbeds at premises including, beauty salons, leisure centres, gyms and hotels; 􀁥 Being offered the use of a sunbed; 􀁥 Being allowed to be in an area reserved for sunbed users.

Local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the act by inspecting businesses and premises to ensure they are complying with the regulations.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “Cases of skin cancer continue to rise each year. This new law will go some way to help reduce one of the biggest cancers among 15 to 24-year-olds.

“My message to young sunbed users is clear: you are putting your health at risk. Intense bursts of UV radiation can cause damage to your skin, even after just one use.”

Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s director of policy, said: “As well as protecting under-18s from sunbed use, we hope the legislation sends a clear message to all that using a sunbed increases the risk of skin cancer.”