'I was diagnosed with skin cancer aged 26 - unethical sunscreen tax must end now'

'I was diagnosed with skin cancer aged 26 - unethical sunscreen tax must end now' Jessica Zbinden-Webster, who was diagnosed with skin cancer aged just 26, will deliver a petition with almost 100,000 signatures to Downing Street calling for the 20% VAT charged on sun cream to be scrapped A woman who was diagnosed with skin cancer aged just 26 will today deliver a petition with almost 100,000 signatures to Downing Street calling for the 20% VAT charged on sun cream to be scrapped. Jessica Zbinden-Webster, who is now 34 and cancer-free, had an excision, a skin graft and four ocular surgeries after what she describes as a “shock diagnosis”. Her Change.org petition, which is signed by more than 99,000 people at the time of writing, comes after record temperatures and consecutive heatwaves ripped through the UK this summer. Up to nine in 10 melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK could be prevented by staying safe in the sun, such as using sunscreen and staying in the shade, and avoiding sunbeds, Cancer Research UK says. But half (50%) of people in the UK think sunscreen is too expensive and 10% don’t use it at all because of the cost, a 2023 study by charity Melanoma Focus found. Some 67% of people said they would use it more if it was cheaper. In her petition, Ms Zbinden-Webster said: "I had a shock skin cancer diagnosis at 26 years old. One excision, one skin graft and four ocular surgeries later, I'm lucky to be cancer-free, but there are many who aren't as fortunate." Ahead of her No10 visit on Monday, the London-based campaigner continued: "The unethical tax on lifesaving sunscreen must end now. If you think this record-breaking summer has wreaked havoc on our environment, just imagine what it's done to our skin. And, in a cost-of-living crisis, the poorest are priced out of skin cancer prevention because of the 20% 'cosmetic' tax on sunscreen products. Sunscreen is not 'cosmetic' - it's critical." She added to The Mirror that regularly applying sunscreen would have prevented her cancer. She said: "I didn't apply sunscreen regularly because I mistakenly thought it was a seasonal product, not an everyday essential. The 'cosmetic' VAT status of sunscreen reinforces this misunderstanding to consumers. "Wearing sunscreen regularly would have prevented my skin cancer. My tumour was caused by UV damage in childhood, which is why it manifested to early in life. But parents are penalised to protect their kids' skin as the 'cosmetic' VAT on sunscreen also applies to sunscreen products for babies and children." In June, a report on UV safety by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Beauty, Hair and Wellbeing said the current VAT classification that deems sunscreen a luxury cosmetic rather than vital preventative healthcare "inflates the cost in a way that deters regular use". It called on the Government to reduce VAT to zero on all children’s sun protection products that are rated SPF 30 and above and engage with brands and retailers to ensure that the resulting savings are passed onto the consumer. It also demanded VAT be cut to 5% on all dedicated sun protection products designed for adults that are rated SPF 30 and above. The report added: "Not only would this remove one of the barriers that stands in the way of people using a life-saving product but it would send a clear message to the population that UV safety is not only important to the Government, but that it should be a daily consideration for everyone." A Government spokesman said: “As part of our 10-year plan to reform the health service, and through a national cancer plan, we will fight cancer on all fronts, from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and research. High-factor sunscreen is on the NHS prescription list for certain conditions and is already provided VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to these patients.” VAT is the UK’s second largest tax and is forecast to raise £180billion in 2025-26. The 20% standard rate applies to most goods and services. Cosmetic services are exempt from VAT where they’re undertaken as an element of a health care treatment programme. Where services are undertaken purely for cosmetic reasons, they will be standard-rated, gov.uk says. In an advice page on sun safety, the NHS tells people not rely on sunscreen alone to protect from the sun. It also recommends wearing suitable clothing and spending time in the shade when the sun's at its hottest.