Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

SUN AWARENESS WEEK: SKIN CANCER COSTING GOVERNMENT £90M PER YEAR

Despite being the most preventable form of cancer, skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK. Around 70,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK every year, costing the government in the region of £90m a year.

Recent street surveys by Rub It In, the sun awareness campaign, revealed that:

76% underestimate how much sun lotion to apply
94% are shocked that sun lotion is not medically tested
85% don’t know whether their sun lotion is broad spectrum
73% believe the lower the factor, the better the tan
68% admitted to being ‘fairly badly’ burned last year
71% don’t wear sun lotion in the UK no matter how hot it is

The Rub It In campaign believes that the government and the public have to dramatically alter the UK’s sun lotion habits.

1. We Need To Get Serious About Standards

Are you confident that your bottle of sun lotion contains what it promises on the label? Would it surprise you that Trading Standards have pulled several brands off the market as they don’t contain the promised SPF?

The Rub It In campaign believes that all sun lotions should have to pass strict medical tests before they hit the shelves. Rub It In is sponsored by Delph Sun Care – one of only six brands on the market that is listed on the UK Drug Tariff, meaning that it is medically tested to ensure that every bottle offers the correct SPF.

2. Reduce Or Scrap Vat On Sun Lotion

The reason why sun lotion does not have to pass medical tests before it hits the shelves is because it is classed as a cosmetic. Sun lotion’s status as a cosmetic means that it is subject to VAT. Rub IT In has been campaigning for two years to reduce or scrap VAT on sun lotion and is continuing to petition the government Rub It In.

The VAT on condoms has been reduced – why not sun lotion?

3. Raise Awareness Of The Importance Of Sun Protection

Awareness of sun protection is very high in Australia and skin cancer rates have been slashed as a result. We need to do the same in the UK. Children need to learn good sun protection habits earlier – it is the only way we can fight skin cancer.


Sun Awareness Week runs from 28th May.

For samples, images and stockist info for Delph sun lotion, contact Helen Drake at Brandnation on 020 7940 7170 or e-mail helen@brandnation.co.uk