21/07/2014

Under-18s Sunbed Ban Comes Into Force

From today (21 July), people under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use sunbeds.

The ban, which applies to the use of sunbeds on commercial premises, has been confirmed by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.

In a statement, he said: "This is an essential step to protect children's health and wellbeing and an important preventative measure in terms of skin cancer.

"Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer in Ireland. More than 850 new cases of melanoma are reported in Ireland each year, with 150 Irish people dying annually. This ban won't solve the skin cancer problem on its own, but we can achieve our goal if we work together and raise awareness."

The ban will be enforced by the Environmental Health Officers at the HSE's Environmental Health Service. Operators face a fine of €4,000 or up to six months in prison for a first offence.

Welcoming the introduction of the Sunbed Legislation, Dr Susan O Reilly, Director, National Cancer Control Programme, also said that it is equally important that "adults never to use a sunbed so as to reduce their risk of getting a melanoma".

Skin cancer is now the fastest growing cancer in Ireland, with more than 10,000 new cases annually.

(JP/IT)

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