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08/04/2008
Report Issues Cancer Warning For Sunbed Users
A report has issued the stark warning that sunbed users could be increasing their risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75 per cent.
Cancer Research UK, the body that carried out the research, says that using sun beds from an early age significantly increases the risk of developing the deadly cancer.
A poll conducted by the charity has also found that an alarming 82% of 4,000 people fell into the danger zone of sunbed users - those being under 35 years of age.
The report follows the British Association of Dermatologists' call for under 18s to be banned from using sunbeds and more stringent controls on coin operated booths.
The SunSmart campaign - run by Cancer Research UK - warns that overuse of sun beds can be as dangerous as getting sunburnt on the beach.
Rebecca Russell, the SunSmart campaign manager, said: "The results of our survey make for a stark warning to young people about the dangers of indoor tanning.
"Everytime you use a sunbed you are harming your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer.
"We would like to legislation to prevent under-18s using sunbeds and to ban unmanned coin-operated sundbeds, which can attract under-age and vulnerable users."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We intend to gather more information about the number and distribution of sunbeds and the scale of sunbed by minors. These measures are part of our review of options for possible regulation of the sunbed industry, including coin-operated sunbeds."
Professor Mike Richards, the government's National Cancer Director also commented: "It is a matter of particular concern that children may be getting access to sunbeds and it is also important that they should have information about the dangers of excessive exposure to UV."
However, Kathy Banks, chief executive of the Sunbed Association says that there is no proven link between skin cancer and sunbed use.
"People who use a sunbed must be suitable to use one and must use it according to their natural tanning ability."
Skin cancer is the fastest rising cancer in the UK, almost 9,000 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed yearly and there are more than 1,800 deaths from the illness.
(DS/JM)
Cancer Research UK, the body that carried out the research, says that using sun beds from an early age significantly increases the risk of developing the deadly cancer.
A poll conducted by the charity has also found that an alarming 82% of 4,000 people fell into the danger zone of sunbed users - those being under 35 years of age.
The report follows the British Association of Dermatologists' call for under 18s to be banned from using sunbeds and more stringent controls on coin operated booths.
The SunSmart campaign - run by Cancer Research UK - warns that overuse of sun beds can be as dangerous as getting sunburnt on the beach.
Rebecca Russell, the SunSmart campaign manager, said: "The results of our survey make for a stark warning to young people about the dangers of indoor tanning.
"Everytime you use a sunbed you are harming your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer.
"We would like to legislation to prevent under-18s using sunbeds and to ban unmanned coin-operated sundbeds, which can attract under-age and vulnerable users."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We intend to gather more information about the number and distribution of sunbeds and the scale of sunbed by minors. These measures are part of our review of options for possible regulation of the sunbed industry, including coin-operated sunbeds."
Professor Mike Richards, the government's National Cancer Director also commented: "It is a matter of particular concern that children may be getting access to sunbeds and it is also important that they should have information about the dangers of excessive exposure to UV."
However, Kathy Banks, chief executive of the Sunbed Association says that there is no proven link between skin cancer and sunbed use.
"People who use a sunbed must be suitable to use one and must use it according to their natural tanning ability."
Skin cancer is the fastest rising cancer in the UK, almost 9,000 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed yearly and there are more than 1,800 deaths from the illness.
(DS/JM)
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26 June 2014
Enforcement Of Sunbeds Ban Is Essential - FG
Enforcement will be essential if a ban on sunbeds is to be successful, Fine Gael has said. Welcoming the introduction of a ban on sunbed use for under 18s, the party's Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, said it would help protect teenagers from the dangers of tanning radiation.
Enforcement Of Sunbeds Ban Is Essential - FG
Enforcement will be essential if a ban on sunbeds is to be successful, Fine Gael has said. Welcoming the introduction of a ban on sunbed use for under 18s, the party's Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, said it would help protect teenagers from the dangers of tanning radiation.
09 June 2010
Sunbed Ban Looms For Younger Teens
Sunbeds are to face stricter legislations soon as the Health Minister Mary Harney today said she is to introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds. As is soon to be the case in the North, this is to include banning their use by under-18s.
Sunbed Ban Looms For Younger Teens
Sunbeds are to face stricter legislations soon as the Health Minister Mary Harney today said she is to introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds. As is soon to be the case in the North, this is to include banning their use by under-18s.
02 March 2011
North Bans Sunbeds For Under 18s
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed a recent announcement by the Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, that a new bill to stop under 18s using sunbeds has been passed by the Assembly.
North Bans Sunbeds For Under 18s
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed a recent announcement by the Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, that a new bill to stop under 18s using sunbeds has been passed by the Assembly.
02 March 2015
New Sunbed Laws Come Into Force
New legislation to govern the use of sunbeds comes into effect from today (2 March). The laws will include a ban on promotions encouraging the use of sunbeds, such as 'happy hours', 'unlimited use' and loyalty cards, while sunbed operators will also have to ensure they inform their customers on the health risks of sunbeds before they use them.
New Sunbed Laws Come Into Force
New legislation to govern the use of sunbeds comes into effect from today (2 March). The laws will include a ban on promotions encouraging the use of sunbeds, such as 'happy hours', 'unlimited use' and loyalty cards, while sunbed operators will also have to ensure they inform their customers on the health risks of sunbeds before they use them.
03 September 2012
Call For Women To Raise Funds For Cancer
The Irish Cancer Society is calling on every woman in Ireland to come together and Get the Girls doing something throughout the months of September and October to combat breast cancer.
Call For Women To Raise Funds For Cancer
The Irish Cancer Society is calling on every woman in Ireland to come together and Get the Girls doing something throughout the months of September and October to combat breast cancer.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
