<div><p>Under-18s in England and Wales could be banned from using sunbeds in tanning salons because of the risk of cancer under government-backed proposals announced Wednesday.</p><p>Cancer Research UK says people who first use a sunbed under the age of 35 increase their risk of developing skin cancer later by 75 percent.</p><p>Now ministers and MPs want to take action to cut from over 100,000 the number people diagnosed with skin cancer per year.</p><p>"The scientific evidence is clear -- sunbeds increase your risk of getting skin cancer," said Health Secretary Andy Burnham.</p><p>"It is far too easy for young people to use sunbeds and I am determined to take action to protect them."</p><p>Figures show that six percent of English children aged between 11 and 17 have used a sunbed -- with the figure rising to 11 percent in the north.</p><p>The bill is backed by celebrities including Nicola Roberts of pop band Girls Aloud.</p><p>It has a limited chance of being passed due to a lack of parliamentary time as it was originally proposed by a Labour backbencher Julie Morgan. But the government's backing increases the chance of success.</p><p>More than 2,600 people die from skin cancer every year in Britain.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66826900&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2010  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>