Poll: Should adults be banned from using sunbeds?

New legislation will mean it will be illegal for under-18s to use sunbeds. Should this be extended to adults, resulting in a total ban?

NEW LEGISLATION IS on the way that will see under-18s banned from using sunbeds.

It will see Ireland following in the footsteps of Northern Ireland, which introduced the ban last year. The legislation, which is sponsored by Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher, is due to be introduced to the Oireachtas in the autumn.

According to the Daily Mail, the bill will also mean adults will have to sign a consent form before they use sunbeds. The form will state that they have been made aware of the health risks posed by the machines.

Around 794 people die each year in Europe from sunbed-induced skin cancer. Given that there are health risks involved in using sunbeds, some would argue that the beds should be banned – as previous health minister Mary Harney said back in 2009. Others would argue that once adults know the risks, it is up to them to decide whether or not to use them.