Indoor Tanning in Europe: Temporal Trends, Sociodemographic Determinants from the Euromelanoma Campaign (2009–2018)

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.