Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/fiphoto

Children to be sent on 'undercover' tanning salon missions

Similar test purchase programmes are in place for the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

Updated at 10.15am

NEW CHECKS ON sunbed premises will see underage teenagers checking if they can purchase a session.

The Minister for Health Leo Varadkar issued the guidelines, which will allow the HSE’s Environmental Health Services to send a teenager aged between 15 and 17 into a sunbed premises and attempt to purchase a sunbed session.

The Test Purchase Guidelines will cover the sale, use or hire of sunbeds to anyone under 18.

Minister Varadkar said, “The HSE’s Environmental Health Services will have an extra tool in their overall enforcement programme to combat the sale, use or hire of sunbeds to minors.

I want to stress that the objective of the test purchase programme is to ascertain whether a sunbed business is complying with the law, not to trap that business into committing an offence. In this regard, the test purchaser must answer all questions about their age truthfully.

Similar test purchase programmes are currently in place for the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

Dr Maurice Mulcahy, Regional Chief Environmental Health Officer of the HSE said test purchases will commence in the near future.

“It is essential that individuals supervising the use of sunbeds verify the age of customers to ensure they are over the age limit of 18 years old. This can be done quite simply by checking such documents as age cards, passports or driving licences.

“The new test purchase guidelines will enable us to verify if these essential checks are taking place and thereby ensuring the protection of children from the health risks associated with ultra violet radiation from sunbeds.”

Read: Irish children as young as 12 are using sunbeds>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
62 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Guilfoyle
    Favourite Gary Guilfoyle
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 7:34 AM

    would they mind picking up a Flagon and a packet of smokes on the way home, cheers.

    274
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Higgins
    Favourite Kevin Higgins
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:02 AM

    law or no law, expensive or free… your an idiot if you use these deathbeds

    179
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sunshine on a rainy
    Favourite Sunshine on a rainy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:56 AM

    You’re

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:17 AM

    Sunshine, no full stop.

    42
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Higgins
    Favourite Kevin Higgins
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:33 AM

    erouy na toidi

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Curry
    Favourite John Curry
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:02 PM

    can ye fit her in for ten minutes boss, sure its her communion next week and we want her lookin great in the carriage.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Power
    Favourite Conor Power
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 7:35 AM

    One Sunbed session increases your risk of a number of cancers from 20-67% depending on the type of cancer. You really need to have a serious screw loose/death wish to use them.

    178
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan White
    Favourite Alan White
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:33 AM

    I use them just before going on a sun holiday to build up resistance to the sun. But only for two weeks (bout 6 times in total) and I find it helps me not get burned and so is probably beneficial in that respect. But I’d never use them regularly

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Power
    Favourite Conor Power
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:58 AM

    Fair enough if are happy those benefits outweigh the greatly increased chance you now have of getting cancer, you are an adult after all. Of course getting burned is also a bad idea.

    83
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorraine Valentine
    Favourite Lorraine Valentine
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:18 AM

    Factor 50 will stop you getting burned too Alan…you will also find you will still tan if thats what you are after…..I used sunbeds on and off over the years and i ended up with skin cancer which left me with a nice scar to remind me never to be so careless again! Factor 50 all the way now for me now and yearly checks for the rest of my life!

    182
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan White
    Favourite Alan White
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:54 AM

    Sorry to hear about that Lorraine, thanks for the advice. I thought I was doing good by it, but will stick to cream now. Was genuinely unaware of the extent of the risks. Thanks

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Power
    Favourite Conor Power
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:00 AM

    Interesting you were unaware, it was one area where studies are conclusive. Are there any warnings in the tanning salons? If not there should be. Maybe in the small print at the moment but there should be prominent signs given the are worse than cigarettes.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
    Favourite Sarah O'Sullivan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 12:59 PM

    The problem is that it isn’t just tge burning people need to look out for. Tanning in itself is skin damage.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Curry
    Favourite John Curry
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 4:45 PM

    Jasus Lorraine….If you ever need someone to rub that factor 50 on I’m you’re man!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Bravo
    Favourite Johnny Bravo
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 8:38 AM

    That’s it well done tell everybody what you up too lol , bit like a few years back when the Health Inspectors use to ring and say I’ll be out next Thursday to check your premises…. only in Ireland

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:20 AM

    That’s bull. Only in Ireland …. do we have the highest standard of food safety in the world.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:21 AM
    35
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Banna
    Favourite Seamus Banna
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:35 AM

    It’s called mystery shopping and it is used by quite a lot of companies and agencies. Person walks in off the street and try’s to book a sunbed session. They then report back is they were asked for ID or their age. They don’t say when or where they will turn up, whether they are male or female or if they are with an adult. So Johnny it’s looks like they have thought of a better way than ringing them up and telling them that they are coming. Who’s LOL now?

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:42 AM

    Health Inspectors call unannounced as well. Test purchasing has been used sucessfully with alcohol and tobacco.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Power
    Favourite Conor Power
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:59 AM

    Of course they do otherwise why would they issue closure orders.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Bravo
    Favourite Johnny Bravo
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:11 PM

    Jane speaking from experience from someone who worked in the industry for nearly 20years , you were phoned when the Heath inspectors were coming. Glad things have changed recently ,would explain why so many have been hit with fines or closed .

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Bravo
    Favourite Johnny Bravo
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:19 PM

    Seamus the headline clearly says ‘children will be sent on ‘ not people ! So of course all tanning salons are going to asked for ID because they are expecting it now !!!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Fitzgerald
    Favourite Ronan Fitzgerald
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:04 PM

    Then that’s a good result …. if it forces compliance.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John C Thomas
    Favourite John C Thomas
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:00 PM

    In my 25 year experience the only people who will phone a warning is the hotel or restaurant down the road when the inspector is in their place, in the hope you’d do them the same favor in future. The EHO’s are defiantly wide to that now. They know what they are doing and even though most if not all of them never worked in the industry, they keep us on our toes

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 4th 2015, 1:26 PM

    Safe to say 100% of Environmental Health Officers worked in the industry. The finest professionals we have in Ireland, as you can see from the report above- the one thing we get really right in Ireland…. Industry do as they say, or else!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Bartell
    Favourite Sam Bartell
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 7:28 AM

    If a law is being broken its the job of the gardai not a minister or penpusher to investigate. Blueshirt leo has notions of elliot ness

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Kennedy
    Favourite Liam Kennedy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 8:30 AM

    its actually the job of the authorised authority to investigate, in this case it is the environmental health department not the gardai

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronica
    Favourite Veronica
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:09 PM

    My friend is younger then me by 3 years & I am by far blowing my trumpet but I look half her age as she lives for sunbeds… at least twice a week she will hop on one for 20 mins & when u look at her up close u can see all the age spots and moles she has from being on sunbeds.. she totally ignore the warnings when I tell her. .Bad as the sun is sunbeds are actually way worse…

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephaine Love
    Favourite Stephaine Love
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:21 PM

    I’ve seen girl’s in school uniforms cue up to use sun beds and sun showers in a local salon. now they may have been 18 but it’s scary that they thing this is the way to look good :(

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Curry
    Favourite John Curry
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 4:48 PM

    yeah you’re right there. 18 Year olds in school uniforms look crap.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
    Favourite Sarah O'Sullivan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 5:51 PM

    Our society is tan obsessed. Theres a whole host of people walking around that aren’t a normal colour for any caucasian. Don’t even get me started on the eyebrows..or hair extensions..or false lashes. Id say most guys are getting afraid to touch women these days in case bits start falling off.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cynical Samwidge
    Favourite Cynical Samwidge
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:16 AM

    Tanks grammar nazi

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chief
    Favourite Chief
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:21 AM

    Tanks kill people.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute little jim
    Favourite little jim
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:22 AM

    Reminds me of that guy who edited Hitlers speeches..

    8
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:37 AM

    Reminds me of that guy Tap Solny, who is forever making corrections while his own posts are littered with bad grammar and punctuation mistakes.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 12:43 PM

    *Whom

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:41 PM

    *whom.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:44 PM

    *Whom.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:44 PM

    *Mr. Phil Officer.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 4:53 PM

    Ok you win, but the ‘Mr.’ one is beyond my control.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack DaCosta
    Favourite Jack DaCosta
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:55 AM

    Primetime won’t be happy.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kim Prylowski
    Favourite Kim Prylowski
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:36 PM

    Everyone is going to say no to the kids cause it is all over the news now

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
    Favourite Nigel Tuffnel
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 8:27 PM

    I had no idea this was such a big problem. Who would’ve thought tanning would be more important to kids than smokes and booze?

    Wouldn’t it be classed as entrapment though? Surely they can’t use actual minors to do this. I’m guessing it’s going to be older people who look young and give them fake I.D’s or something. If not that has to be breaking some kind of law.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cynical Samwidge
    Favourite Cynical Samwidge
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:54 AM

    Hitler youth program!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sunshine on a rainy
    Favourite Sunshine on a rainy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:57 AM

    Programme

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:17 AM

    Again, no full stop.

    11
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Higgins
    Favourite Kevin Higgins
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:34 AM

    jays us lad zzzzz

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Murphy
    Favourite Jimmy Murphy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 11:56 AM

    Well now that they’ve made it public that they’re going to do this, they’re all going to check for ID now, aren’t they? Not very clever…

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kate Stapleton
    Favourite Kate Stapleton
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 12:32 PM

    It’s actually quite clever, because now they’ll be checking for ID!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Murphy
    Favourite Jimmy Murphy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 12:42 PM

    Humbled! But those salons who were not complying with the law have virtually no chance of being caught now because they’ve been forewarned. But I guess you and I were looking at it differently

    2
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Black
    Favourite Jane Black
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 12:49 PM

    Better to warn people and have compliance than taking expensive cases against non compliant businesses.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fuve
    Favourite fuve
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:14 PM

    People need to educate themselves on sun beds. It has been proven small amounts is good for you. However I worked in tanning salon and whilst I tried to be vigilant on amounts people took and tried to advise them on healthy use,my ex bosses chastised me for it. They had been letting kids on before I started there. I knew some were underage but I wasn’t allowed to turn them away because they had been using them for years. Its like the taxi checks few months back. Why are they warning them? Stupid.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 10:10 PM

    Ireland was always famous for informers…

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds