Melanoma UK applauds pioneering pubs, restaurants and bars offering free sunscreen

The charity Melanoma UK has praised the responsible businesses protecting their customers and staff through the use of automatic sunscreen dispensers.

Gill Nuttall, Melanoma UK’s CEO founder said: “Mounting research shows that too many of us are not protecting our skin adequately against sun damage and cancer. This is especially true for men – who are twice as likely as women to die from skin cancer. The restaurants, pubs and bars with the foresight to offer their customers and staff free skin protection deserve recognition for pioneering change in consumer behaviour. It’s great to see that sun protection is becoming an important extension  of conventional PPE.”

This summer, C&C Group plc (owner of Magners, Tennent’s, Bulmer, Admiral Taverns and Matthew Clark Bibendum) has purchased sixty dispensers for its owned and customer venues. In addition, Westbeach, Aruba, Sunset Beach Club and Urban Reef in Dorset have also been among the first to install them. British brand, LifeJacket Skin Protection, who make the dispensers in partnership with Melanoma UK say they are in strong demand since launching earlier this year.

An official partner of Melanoma UK, LifeJacket Skin Protection works with the charity to educate and encourage people to wear skin protection all year-round. Co-founder, Billy Boulos says: “90% of melanomas are avoidable. Five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of skin cancer so sun protection is essential PPE for both customers and staff. It’s part of being a responsible business but it also makes financial sense as it allows customers to enjoy socialising outside for longer.”

Sun Gel Dispensers

LifeJacket’s quick-install, automatic dispensers are easy to attach to walls and come with two litres (equivalent to 1,000 dispenses) of LifeJacket’s SPF 50+ Sun Gel, including all fittings. The Sun Gel is suitable for children over two years-old and is non-greasy, lightweight, water resistant, cruelty free and clinically proven for sensitive skin.

£165 + VAT each, available from lifejacketskinprotection.com

Skin Cancer stats

  • According to estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (part of the WHO), the number of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer cases for men and women is forecast to increase by 80% globally, between 2020 and 2040.
  • There are around 16,200 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 44 every day (2015-2017).
  • Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK.
  • Nearly 90% of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight. That means it is preventable with the use of skin protection and avoiding sunbeds.
  • It takes only one blistering sunburn, especially at a young age, to more than double a person’s chance of developing melanoma later in life.