Also started a program in which free sun protection will be provided
Dutch government has taken an initiative to start a programme that provides free sun protection to its citizens. Due to increasing skin cancer cases.
Under this new initiative, sun cream dispensers will be installed throughout the Netherlands during the summer season. In various locations these dispensers will be placed including schools, universities, festivals, parks, sports venues, and open public spaces, to maximize accessibility for the general public.
By making sun protection readily available in these frequently visited areas, the government hopes to encourage individuals of all ages to adopt safe practices.
According to a report by public broadcaster NOS, a skin doctor from a local clinic has devised an idea to repurpose the sanitizer dispensers that were widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic. These dispensers previously used for distributing hand sanitizer, will now be adapted to dispense sunscreen, promoting sun protection as an essential part of daily life.
A councilor from a North Sea bathing resort said that children should get used to applying sunscreen from an early age so that it becomes a habit.
''It's costing a bit of money but we hold the health of the people in high regard. We regularly see people enjoying the sun but neglecting to protect themselves and owing to the fact that Katwijk gets above the average amount of sun, this is not good,'' said Jacco Knape from the seaside town of Katwijk, as quoted by The Guardian.
From the past two decades skin cancer have been on the rise in Europe, and recent unusually high temperatures in central Europe are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Excessive exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer. The sun emits ultraviolet rays that can be detrimental to our bodies, leading to changes in the cell structure and abnormal cell replication. One of the earliest and most common symptoms of skin cancer is a noticeable change in the color of a specific area on the skin.
For this reason, it is crucial to recognize that sunscreens should not be viewed merely as cosmetic products, but rather as essential tools for protecting our skin.
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