Skin cancer charities call for sunscreen tax to be scrapped
Whether you have red hair or not, we all know the importance of sun safety. Here at Ginger Parrot HQ, we would go as far to say that sunscreen should be considered an everyday staple. And yet, in the eyes of UK tax, it is considered a ‘cosmetic’ product.
What this means is, sunscreen carries VAT (value added tax) in the UK, at the rate of 20%. On average, this adds up to around £1.50 per bottle, which can price people out. Particularly at the moment, during a cost-of-living crisis, when many households are struggling to buy essential items.
UK skin cancer charities are now calling for VAT to be scrapped on sunscreen to make it more affordable.
High-factor sunscreen is already available on NHS prescription and is VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to patients with certain conditions. But campaigners want it to be taken one step further, to give VAT exemption to sunscreen products that carry a high factor.
Sun damage is the biggest contributing factor to skin cancer that we’re able to control. Melanoma is the most dangerous, and is the most common type among young people in the UK.
Dr Louise Soanes, Chief Nurse at the Teenage Cancer Trust, told the BBC: “Few realise that getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer.”
“Preventing skin cancer by using an effective sun cream is essential – and sun cream shouldn’t be a luxury that only some can afford.”
5 signs of moles and skin changes that need checking out:
- Changes in the appearance of a mole – think ‘ABCDE‘: asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, evolving
- Skin hurting, itching, bleeding, crusting or scabbing – often mistaken as an insect bite.
- Scaly patches of skin that feel dry or rough to touch.
- A sore or lesion that does not heal within four weeks.
- A lump in parts of your body – a rare form of skin cancer is DFSP, which develops as a small tumour in your bodily tissue.
You can read more about skin cancer signs, here.
Claire Knight, from Cancer Research UK, said: “While price may be a barrier for some, it’s worth remembering that you don’t need to spend a lot on a sunscreen to get good protection – what matters is an SPF of at least 15, and a star rating of 4 or 5.
“There may be other reasons people don’t use sunscreen – for example, not realising that you can burn on a cloudy day, or mistakenly thinking make-up with SPF in is sufficient.
“But when it comes to sun safety, sunscreen is only part of it. Spending time in the shade and covering up with clothing are the best and cheapest ways to protect yourself against damage from too much of the sun’s UV rays.”
And for redheads, it’s even more important to stay sun safe, as we’re at much higher risk of sunburn. Our top tips for staying safe in the sun:
- Cover up with clothing (you can even get UPF clothing)
- Wear a sun hat
- Use sunscreen with minimum SPF 30
- Wear sunglasses with a strong UV filter
- Sit in the shade, particularly during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm)
If you are concerned about your skin, it’s always best to get checked by a doctor. It’s preferable to take any historical photos of the lesion with you to the appointment, to help with their diagnosis and whether they should refer you to a dermatologist for further examination.