The National Assembly for Wales’s Children and Young People Committee is to investigate how children are protected from the sun, following a petition by cancer charity Tenovus.
The charity submitted a petition to the Assembly calling for all children under the age of 11 in Wales to be provided with free sunscreen.
The committee will focus on the availability and use of sunscreen and other sun protections, such as the provision of shade in schools and the wearing of suitable clothing while outdoors.
The original petition was supported by more than 9,000 signatories and was referred to the Children and Young People Committee by the Petitions Committee.
“There is plenty of research telling us that exposure to UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer,” said Christine Chapman AM, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee.
“Among the questions we will be asking as part of this inquiry is whether the current sun protection policies and guidelines are effective in providing sufficient sun protection for children while they are at school, and if not, where improvements are required.
“We will also look at whether there is sufficient awareness of the current sun protection policies and guidelines, and, if not, how best to raise awareness.”
“I would ask anyone who has a view on this issue to contact us with their opinions or suggestions.”