Mr. Moloney pointed out that the Irish Medicines Board which regulates the cosmetic industry has no role in the regulation of the sunbed industry. He said, “The promised Bill should be immediately published to protect consumers. Sunbed premises should be required with the HSE who should be given immediate powers to inspect sunbed premises. Sunbeds are not a “safe” alternative to sun tanning. The main cause of skin cancer is over exposure to ultra violet (UV) radiation. Sunbeds give off UVA and UVB rays. The amount of UVA given off by sunbeds can be 10-15 times higher than the midday sun”. The use of public sunbeds by under 18’s in England was banned on the 8th April 2011. The Sunbed (Regulation) Act 2000 placed a duty on businesses to prevent under 18’s from using the sunbeds which they make available to the public. The act targeted tanning salons, gyms, saunas, hotels and others businesses which make sunbeds available to users.
Strict fines of up to £20,000 sterling have been provided for in the new Act. The Northern Ireland Assembly has also proposed a ban.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK and Ireland. The number of cases being diagnosed in 15-34 year olds has tripled since the 1970s. The main cause is over exposure to ultra violet radiation from sun and sunbeds.
Personal Injuries Solicitor, Liam Moloney, blasted the Irish Government for failing to introduce legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds in Ireland. Liam Moloney, Solicitor, said today, “The available evidence indicates that the cosmetic use of sunbeds, especially by minors, should be immediately banned because of the associated increase of skin cancer and other health problems”.
There is no regulation by the State of the use of sunbeds. The former Minister for Health, Mary Harney, announced in June 2006 that a Bill would be introduced to regulate their use. Many outlets remain unsupervised and customers are allowed unlimited use of these beds.
If you have been affected by any of the above issues, please feel free to contact Liam Moloney, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare at 045 898000 or simply log onto our website at www.moloneysolicitors.ie for further information.
