From today under 18s can no longer use sunbeds

Irish Cancer Society welcomes regulation of the sunbed industry

After years of campaigning on this issue the Irish Cancer Society welcomes the fact that from today on, it will be illegal to allow a person under 18 years of age to use a sunbed. This is the first time the sunbed industry will be regulated by law.

Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy and Communications at the Society said “We campaigned for the last several years for this legislation and we are delighted that it is coming into force. Every year, up to 28,000 children and young people risk their lives in search of a tan. The link between sunbeds and skin cancer is clear - the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has placed sunbeds in the highest cancer risk category. This means that sunbed use is as carcinogenic as tobacco or plutonium. “We would advise all people not to use sunbeds but it is vital that young people who are most at risk, are protected,” she said.

“We campaigned for the Government to take the legislation further and also include a ban on those with the fairest skin types from using sunbeds. People with the fairest skin types are twice as likely to get skin cancer.

Unfortunately, the Act does not contain this ban and we would urge the Government to ensure sunbed operators will warn people of the particular danger to those with fair skin types.

Other sections of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 will come into force at a later date which will:
 • Require sunbed operators to provide warning signs and written information on the risks and dangers of sunbed use to clients;• Place a ban on certain promotional practices (e.g. early bird or “two for the price of one” offers); and• Prohibit sunbed operators from making health claims (for instance that a person should use sunbed before a sun holiday).
 “We would like to acknowledge all those across the country who supported our work on this issue and who signed petitions and lobbied their local TDs on our behalf. It really made a difference.”
 
The Irish Cancer Society in partnership with the Department of Health will run an awareness campaign advising people to be aware of the dangers of sunbeds from today. More information can be found on www.cancer.ie or http://health.gov.ie/healthy-ireland/sunbeds/