Scots admit unhealthy sun habits

A survey has found that one in five Scots admitted to "binge" tanning as the spotlight turned on the unhealthy habits adopted by some sunbathers.

The poll found that four out of 10 Scots had resorted to using moisturiser, baby oil and even chip fat instead of sun cream when soaking up the rays.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, which carried out the survey, urged people not to "fry" this summer and encouraged sensible practice and the use of high-factor sun lotions for people wanting to make the most of the hot weather.

"I am worried that people still think the warnings about the sun do not apply to them," he said.

"In Scotland we have higher rates of melanoma than in Australia."

"Scots tend to think they do not need to use sun creams at home but people must respect the sun at all times and make sure they use a recommended sun protection cream."

Copyright Press Association 2009

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