Sunbeds bill will protect young people - McGimpsey

The first stage of a bill aimed at preventing the use of sunbeds by young people under 18 years of age was passed at the Assembly today.

Introducing the Sunbeds bill, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the purpose was to reduce skin cancer cases and deaths by regulating the sunbed industry and ensuring everyone is aware of the risks of using sunbeds.

Research shows that using sunbeds before the age of 30 can increase the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by up to 75% and the mortality from melanoma due to sunbed use alone is estimated to be about 100 deaths per year in the UK.

He said: “Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for 28% of all individuals diagnosed with cancer. While the rise in skin cancer rate is not entirely due to the use of sunbeds, there is now substantial evidence of the increased risks caused by sunbed use."People who use sunbeds not only increase the risk of contracting skin cancer but also face further problems such as premature ageing.

“As well as ensuring that the sunbed industry is properly regulated, this bill aims to reduce the use of sunbeds overall, and in particular, stop young people from using them in the first place. It will also ensure that more people are aware of the potential risks to their health from using sunbeds.”

A formal consultation was carried out from 19 November 2009 to 19 February 2010 to seek views on whether and by what means the sunbed industry should be regulated in Northern Ireland. A total of 46 consultation responses were received. In general, the responses supported the regulation of the industry.

Notes to editors:

1. Provisions in the Bill

• prohibit an operator of sunbed premises from allowing anyone under 18 years of age to use a sunbed on their premises;
• prohibit the sale or hire of sunbeds to anyone under 18 years of age
• prohibit an operator of sunbed premises from allowing a sunbed to be used in unsupervised premises
• place a duty on an operator of sunbed premises to provide the sunbed user with written information on the health risks associated with sunbed use
• place a duty on an operator of sunbed premises to display a public information notice on the health risks associated with sunbed use;
• prohibit an operator of sunbed premises from making unfounded or unproven claims attributing health benefits to sunbed use;
• place a duty on an operator of sunbed premises to ensure that protective eyewear is available;
• place a duty on an operator of sunbed premises to ensure that any person who allows a person to use a sunbed on those premises is trained to a certain standard, and
• place a duty on the operator of sunbed premises to ensure that available sunbeds on those premises adhere to certain technical standards.

2. Medical Use

• The provisions do not apply to the medical use of sunbeds.

3. Registration

• A power is included in the Bill to enable future subordinate legislation to be made for sunbed premises (including those on which the sale or hire of sunbeds takes place) to register with District Councils. This will also include the prohibition of sunbed premises if they do not register.

4. Enforcement

• The legislation would be enforced by District Councils.

5. Position in other UK jurisdictions

• Scotland introduced regulation of the provision of sunbeds in the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008.
• The Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill for England and Wales received Royal assent on 8 April 2010.

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