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| Doctors criticise council sunbeds | Doctors criticise council sunbeds |
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| Doctors' leaders have strongly criticised a local authority which has taken more than £83,000 from operating sunbeds in the past five years. | Doctors' leaders have strongly criticised a local authority which has taken more than £83,000 from operating sunbeds in the past five years. |
| After a Freedom of Information request, the British Medical Association (BMA) found that Wrexham generated the money. | After a Freedom of Information request, the British Medical Association (BMA) found that Wrexham generated the money. |
| After BMA Wales criticism, the Vale of Glamorgan council recently agreed to remove its leisure centre sunbeds. | After BMA Wales criticism, the Vale of Glamorgan council recently agreed to remove its leisure centre sunbeds. |
| Wrexham council said it would also be removing sunbeds by April 2010, and has already reduced their numbers to five. | Wrexham council said it would also be removing sunbeds by April 2010, and has already reduced their numbers to five. |
| The BMA said it was "deeply shocked" after obtaining the £83,632 income figures relating to sunbed use at Wrexham council leisure facilities. | The BMA said it was "deeply shocked" after obtaining the £83,632 income figures relating to sunbed use at Wrexham council leisure facilities. |
| Earlier inquires about the Vale of Glamorgan's sunbed income revealed it was generating about £15,000 a year from five tanning machines at its leisure centres. | Earlier inquires about the Vale of Glamorgan's sunbed income revealed it was generating about £15,000 a year from five tanning machines at its leisure centres. |
| But Vale councillors agreed at the beginning of September to remove all the sunbeds. | But Vale councillors agreed at the beginning of September to remove all the sunbeds. |
| You cannot put a price on good health Richard Lewis, BMA Wales | You cannot put a price on good health Richard Lewis, BMA Wales |
| The doctors' group has now turned its attention to Wrexham. | The doctors' group has now turned its attention to Wrexham. |
| According to the BMA, it is one of only two councils in Wales that allow sunbeds to be operated in its leisure centres. The other council is Flintshire. | According to the BMA, it is one of only two councils in Wales that allow sunbeds to be operated in its leisure centres. The other council is Flintshire. |
| Despite a commitment to remove sunbeds from its operations in April next year, the BMA Welsh secretary, Richard Lewis, was highly critical of Wrexham's current situation. | Despite a commitment to remove sunbeds from its operations in April next year, the BMA Welsh secretary, Richard Lewis, was highly critical of Wrexham's current situation. |
| Dr Lewis said there was "well-known and accepted scientific and medical evidence on the dangers of sunbed use," and that "you cannot put a price on good health". | Dr Lewis said there was "well-known and accepted scientific and medical evidence on the dangers of sunbed use," and that "you cannot put a price on good health". |
| The BMA has been campaigning against sunbed use since 2003, arguing that just one session a month doubled the average individual's annual dose of UV radiation. | The BMA has been campaigning against sunbed use since 2003, arguing that just one session a month doubled the average individual's annual dose of UV radiation. |
| It said that could "greatly increase the risk of cancer, skin and eye problems in later life". | It said that could "greatly increase the risk of cancer, skin and eye problems in later life". |
| In Wrexham, the council currently operates five sunbeds, one at Wrexham Waterworld, two at Queensway Stadium and a further two at the Plas Madoc leisure centre. | In Wrexham, the council currently operates five sunbeds, one at Wrexham Waterworld, two at Queensway Stadium and a further two at the Plas Madoc leisure centre. |
| The council said it had reduced the number of sunbeds at its centres from seven since 2008. | The council said it had reduced the number of sunbeds at its centres from seven since 2008. |
| "We have also stopped the marketing of sunbeds in our leisure centres which has also had an impact on the income received," added Ken Danskin, the council's leisure and activity officer. | "We have also stopped the marketing of sunbeds in our leisure centres which has also had an impact on the income received," added Ken Danskin, the council's leisure and activity officer. |
| "The decision has been taken to remove sunbeds from our leisure centres by 1 April 2010 and the BMA were made aware of this fact. | "The decision has been taken to remove sunbeds from our leisure centres by 1 April 2010 and the BMA were made aware of this fact. |
| "Any profits from the income have been reinvested in the leisure service and the loss of the remaining funding will have to be carefully managed by the department." | "Any profits from the income have been reinvested in the leisure service and the loss of the remaining funding will have to be carefully managed by the department." |
| What do you think about the decision not to remove sunbeds from Wrexham's leisure centres until April? Do you think the BMA have a good argument for insisting on their removal? Or do you think the council is offering people choice by having them? | What do you think about the decision not to remove sunbeds from Wrexham's leisure centres until April? Do you think the BMA have a good argument for insisting on their removal? Or do you think the council is offering people choice by having them? |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| Absolutley agree with Ceri from the first post. What will happen to the services if the money generated is lost? I know, why don't we put in cigarette machines to raise revenue instead. After all we need that that money to keep people healthy! What harm can it do?Simon, Cardiff | |
| There is clear evidence that sunbeds are damaging to the skin. In my opinion Wrexham County Borough Council should remove these machines immediately. People, especially women seem to be 'obsessed' with being brown and if sunbeds are available they will continue to use them. Katrina Chalk, Overton, Wrexham | |
| At the most the council in question should have had to warn people of the risks individuals face from over exposure to UV light. | |
| There are coucils all over the country that have licensed premises at theatres etc. The BMA don't critisise the local authorities for bringing about alchohol related ilnesess as they allow people to choose. They should allow people to choose when it comes to sunbeds and their use. This constant wrapping people in cotton wool will be the death of this country.S Tomkins, Swansea | |
| I think that removing sunbeds from leisure centres is not going to make any difference to the amount of people using them, they will just go elsewhere. As long as there is age restrictions and they are properly managed what is the point of removing them. What will happen to services if the money generated by them is lost?ceri davies, wrexham | I think that removing sunbeds from leisure centres is not going to make any difference to the amount of people using them, they will just go elsewhere. As long as there is age restrictions and they are properly managed what is the point of removing them. What will happen to services if the money generated by them is lost?ceri davies, wrexham |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |