Antrim and Newtownabbey: operator sold session to underage customer

A report to be presented to the borough council’s Operations Committee at a meeting at Antrim Civic Centre, on Monday evening, says, of these, one failed a test purchase and has received a written warning.

Test purchases by environmental health officers, accompanied by a young person under 18 years of age, are carried out by the local authority which has a statutory duty to enforce the provisions of The Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 prohibits the use, sale and rental of sunbeds to individuals under the age of 18.

This Act also places a duty on each district council to enforce the legislation and includes measures to ensure that a public information notice on health risks is displayed; ensure users are provided with written information on the health risks; ensure adequate protective eyewear is provided and prohibit operators making unfounded/unproven health benefit claims of sunbed use.

The Public Health Agency has recommended all sunbed operators be subject to a test purchase by councils in Northern Ireland at least once every two years. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for one in four of all cancers.

Join the hundreds of people who have signed up for a Northern Ireland World newsletter Care in the Sun, which was set up as part of the Department of Health’s Northern Ireland Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, states that the risk of melanoma skin cancer is “significantly increased” when use of tanning devices starts before 35 years of age. It says modern sunbeds emit greater doses of UV rays than tropical midday sun.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, puts sunbeds in the highest cancer risk category with sunbed use associated with an increased risk of skin damage including premature ageing and skin cancer.

It is estimated in the UK approximately 100 people die each year from melanoma skin cancers that are due to sunbed use with two to three deaths per year in Northern Ireland.

Care in the Sun says research shows people who have used a sunbed at least once at any stage in their life have a 20% higher risk of developing melanoma skin cancer than people who have never used a sunbed.

It also notes sunbed use can be harmful to eyesight. Without suitable eye protection, UV radiation from sunbeds can damage the user’s eyes, risk eye inflammation, cataract formation, and, in some cases, eye cancer or occular melanoma.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter