Background: Despite clear evidence linking indoor sunbed use to increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, usage among young adults in the UK remains prevalent. Understanding public support for regulatory policies is crucial for effective implementation of skin cancer prevention measures. This study explored young adults' perspectives on various policies for regulating sunbed use.

Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and June 2025 with UK-based sunbed users aged 18-24 years. A purposive sample of 502 participants (Mage = 21.73, SDage = 1.76) reported demographics, social deprivation, sunbed use frequency, and support for eight regulatory policies: (i) total commercial ban, (ii) bans in specific locations (e.g., gyms, beauty salons), (iii) "sunbed tax" on commercial use, (iv) removing VAT from safer tanning alternatives, (v) restricting sunbed advertising, (vi) mandating health warnings on sunbed equipment, (vii) mandatory staff supervision and training, and (viii) mandatory licensing for sunbed businesses. Support was rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly oppose, 5 = strongly support), and net support (% support minus % oppose) was calculated. Linear regressions examined whether sunbed frequency in the past year predicted policy support ratings after controlling for demographic variables.

Results: Highest net support (>73%) was observed for regulatory measures relating to mandatory staff supervision and training, health warnings on equipment, and mandatory business licensing. Moderate support (>38%) was found for removing VAT from safer tanning alternatives and restricting sunbed advertising. Bans in specific locations (1% net support) received mixed views, while total commercial bans (-7% net support) and a sunbed tax (-23% net support) received the least support. More frequent sunbed users expressed significantly less support for restrictive policies, including total commercial bans (β = -.198, p < .001), location-specific bans (β = -.140, p < .01), sunbed taxes (β = -.105, p < .05), and restricted advertising (β = -.103, p < .05).

Conclusions: Young adult sunbed users largely support regulatory measures relating to business licensing, staff training, and health warnings, but oppose policies perceived as overly restrictive or punitive. These findings suggest that public health messaging which emphasises licensing requirements and promotes safer tanning alternatives may resonate more effectively with this demographic. A gradual, phased approach to sunbed regulation, starting with measures that align with public sentiment such as stricter licensing and supervision requirements, may be more acceptable and could build broader support for stronger regulation over time. Future research should explore perspectives among the general public to inform comprehensive policy development.
 

Sunbed users aged 18-24 support for eight sunbed policies in the United Kingdom.