Sunbeds campaign launched to heighten health risk awareness

A new Northern Ireland campaign on sunbeds to communicate the long term health effects, including skin cancer and premature ageing was launched today.

Research has shown that using a sunbed before the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma skin cancer by up to 75%.

Chief Medical Officer, Michael McBride, representing the Minister said: “I welcome the launch of this important campaign to highlight the obvious dangers of using sunbeds. Our pale skin types, which burn easily, are very vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation and I would urge anyone using sunbeds to seriously consider how dangerous they are to your health.”

Skin cancer cases have nearly trebled in the last 25 years in Northern Ireland and as the most common cancer it accounts for 28% of all individuals diagnosed with cancer

Dr McBride continued saying: “This campaign is not about spoiling anyone’s fun – it’s about educating everyone, particularly children to the very real risk of getting skin cancer.

“I know that tanned skin is fashionable and the weather in Northern Ireland does not oblige, but that does not make the increased use of sunbeds either safe or acceptable."

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Minister McGimpsey said: “This campaign reinforces a very important message about the dangers of using sunbeds, particularly to young people. I have recently introduced legislation to the assembly to regulate the use of sunbeds in Northern Ireland. This will ensure that when implemented it will help protect people, particularly young people, of the risks associated with using sunbeds.”

Notes to editors:

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