Expert seeks ban on sunbeds over cancer risk

BRUSSELS - The French national health and safety watchdog ANSES has advised the government to ban electronic sunbeds and sunlamps to prevent people from developing the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Olivier Merckel, a leading expert at ANSES, said sunbed use is linked to an increased risk of melanoma among tanning bed users in France and other countries.

"Figures evaluate to about 380 melanoma cases per year in the French population, due to sunbeds. It is estimated that it leads to between 20 and 80 deaths per year," Merckel said.