Should sunscreen be tax free in the UK? What do you think?

[BritishSkinFoundationCharity]

An article in the BBC yesterday brought about the suggestion that sunscreen ought to be VAT-free to make them more affordable. What do you think? Are they too expensive? What price do we put on our health? bbc.in/Ngtlkn

[Shell567]

Yes, sun-screen should be VAT-free. People use it because they have to, and not for cosmetic reasons. It can be incredibly expensive (sun-screen with a high SPF is very costly), particularly if you have several children in your family. Also, I have a rare inflammatory skin condition that can be triggered by over-exposure to UV light. I have no choice but to use sun-screen to protect my skin in order to manage my condition. Protecting my skin means that my condition is less likely to flare-up which means I will be less likely to require NHS treatment. This in turn means that the NHS will save money because I will need less care.

[Hidden]

It protects the skin from UV rays and covering up or using sunscreen helps prevent against skin cancer a medical condition which may for some be easily avoided. So yes it should be tax / vat free for health protection, but......

Its a difficult one for me to have thoughts on as I am vitamin D deficient. This comes about because the skin needs exposure to sunshine 20-30 mins minimum 3 times a week without any cream at all on the skin exposed, this exposure is needed in order to make Vitamin D in the body and if this process doesn't happen we can develop quite serious health conditions. Its not usual for doctors to check patients for Vit D deficiency which later in life can lead to osteoporosis and many other health problems. Deficiency of vitamin D from a young age can result in skin problems too. Check links below:

livestrong.com/article/4944...

bbc.co.uk/news/health-17488002

The problem is unless vitamin D deficiency is known and patients advised as to what level a supplemented dose would be beneficial there will be dangers of people overdosing, which in turn causes yet another health problem.

Likewise if patients are not advised that whilst protecting ourselves against skin cancer by using sunscreen, we could become deficient in Vitamin D. I think the Department of Health should look into all aspects of this maybe even the World Health Organisation.

Perhaps this is a patient education programme that needs addressing too.

I'd say if all medications are tax and VAT free, sunscreen and vitamin D supplimentation when advised medically should also be. At the moment doctors can't even prescribe vitamin D to patients who are deficient except those patients who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis in the form of Calcichew D3 forte.

Health professionals and Patients need awareness in order to protect their own health and that of their children. I believe all health aids and medicines should not be overpriced including those that act as a preventative.

Apologies this is so long winded but just felt the need to mention the vitamin D deficiency danger, there are lots of UK health reports about this.

[BritishSkinFoundationCharity]

Hi Zoee,

Thanks for this, and you make some really valid points. It's never easy when talking about sun safety and vitamin D, as both are important, and there sadly isn't one universal rule that applies to everyone across the board.

[nayr]

Yes they should be VAT-free Sunscreen is very expensive especially if your on a low budget, My grandchildren have to have some at school ! for each child. then they need one at home, Also they are only good for 1 year once opened. We had to buy one this year when going out and we have used it twice and have to hope it will have the protection for next or it is wasted.