New legislation to restrict sunbed use

The Irish Cancer Society has said that legislation governing the use of sunbeds in Ireland has not gone far enough despite barring anyone under the age of 18 from using a public facility.

The Minister for Health James Reilly yesterday unveiled the Public Health (Sundbeds) Bill 2013 saying that action was required to "protect the public, in particular children and young persons, from the risk of skin damage".

Aside from blocking parlours from admitting anyone under-age, the bill will seek to control the sale and hire of sunbeds, introduce enforcement and ensure staff members receive training.

“There is growing evidence that the use of sunbeds, especially by children, should be restricted because of the associated increased risk of skin cancer and other health problems,” Mr Reilly said.

However, the Irish Cancer Society said that while it welcomed such restrictions, the bill should have prohibited people with certain skin types from using them at all.

“[WE] believe that the Bill should also prohibit people with type one and type two skin from using sunbeds. Most people in Ireland have type one or type two skin,” said Kathleen O’Meara, head of advocacy and communications.