I guess getting skin cancer from prolonged sun exposure or from the harmful ultraviolet rays was not enough, now we have the tanning salons added in the list too.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer said that Tanning beds have dramatically increased the risk of skin cancer in young users in their teens and 20s.

Its research also showed that tanning booths had no positive health effects.

“The data showed a prominent and consistent increase in risk for melanoma in people who first used sun beds in their 20s or teen years,” the Lyon, France-based organization said. “A 75 per cent increase in risk of melanoma was calculated for such users.”

It said tanning beds did not protect against vitamin D deficiency. The body makes vitamin D, the so-called “sunshine vitamin,” from sunlight.

The statement advocated restricting young people’s access to tanning salons.

“In view of the strength and seriousness of the findings, effective action to restrict access to artificial tanning facilities … to minors and young adults should be strongly considered,” the organization’s director, Dr Peter Boyle, said.