Under 18s banned from using sunbeds in Northern

Ireland (April 2012)

Any business found to be allowing those below the age limit to use, buy or hire the equipment could face prosecuriton.

Northern Ireland's Health Minister Edwin Poots has said skin cancer is not the most common form of cancer over the border.

He said people under 18 are particularly at risk, as their skin is more delicate and prome to damage than older skin.

Sunbed users under the age of 35 have a 75% higher risk of developing malignant melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer.

The legislation bans the use of sunbeds by under 18's and also ensure that adults who want to use sunbeds will be given information on the health risks. 

People think having a tan makes them look healthier and more attractive but having a tan is actually a sign that our skin is trying to protect itself form UV damage.

The Department of Health in Dubiln is drafting legislation which if passed by the Oireachtas, would ban the sale or hire of sunbeds to under 18s in the Republic.

Take seriously the latest sunbed findings (2009)

Salon owners that offer sunbed services should be aware of the latest research published in The Lancet oncology (Uk publication)for the health and safety of their clients.

Professional salon business owners that make up the National Hairdressers\' Fedartion led the way in the industry through the groundbreaking policy agreed last summer by its National Executive Council (NEC) which said salon owners should ban under 18s from using their sunbeds.

The Agency for Research on Cancer\'s latest study puts sunbed use on a par with asbestos exposure or smoking.Encourage youngsters to make the right choice and not expose themselves to something that is proven to increase the changes of skin melanoma by 75%.

The coin operated sunbed sector poses the most risk where there are no staff present to supervise its use.