Simple Summary
Indoor tanning is a well-established risk factor for skin cancer, yet little is known about how its use has changed across Europe over time. Using data from more than 340,000 participants in the Euromelanoma campaign from 33 European countries, we examined trends in sunbed use between 2009 and 2018 and identified population groups more likely to use indoor tanning devices. We found a substantial decline in sunbed use across Europe during the study period, particularly among younger adults. However, important differences persisted between countries and demographic groups. Women, individuals aged 20 to 35 years, and those with skin phototypes III to IV reported the highest prevalence of indoor tanning. These findings suggest that public health campaigns and regulatory measures may have helped reduce sunbed use, but continued prevention efforts remain necessary, especially in higher-risk populations and in countries where indoor tanning remains more common.
Abstract
Background: In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). This study aimed to describe ten-year trends in sunbed use prevalence across Europe and examine differences by country and sociodemographic and phenotypic characteristics. Methods: Euromelanoma survey data collected between 2009 and 2018 from 33 countries were analysed among individuals voluntarily attending free skin examinations. Annual sunbed use prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by country, with stratified analyses by gender, age, education level, and skin phototype. Associations with sunbed use were investigated using mixed-effects logistic regression models. Results: A total of 343,675 participants were included. Among Euromelanoma campaign participants, current sunbed use declined over the study period, declining from approximately 12.8% in 2009 to below 6% by 2018, despite year-to-year fluctuations. Women, adults aged 20–35 years and individuals with skin phototypes III–IV exhibited the highest odds of sunbed use (OR Female vs. Male = 3.01, 95%CI [2.91–3.12], OR 20–35 vs. >35 = 2.54, 95%CI [2.47–2.61], and OR Type III–IV vs. Type I–II = 1.52, 95%CI [1.47–1.56], respectively). Marked heterogeneity was observed across countries. Mixed-effects analyses showed a strong temporal decline that was significantly steeper among younger participants, particularly those aged 20–35 years, than among individuals older than 35 years. Conclusions: Indoor tanning prevalence declined across Europe between 2009 and 2018, during a period of evolving post-IARC regulatory and preventive measures. Persistent sociodemographic disparities and substantial between-country heterogeneity highlight the need for targeted, country-specific prevention strategies and continued monitoring of indoor tanning behaviors.