Ban children from sunbeds now, says McManus
Children should be banned from using sunbeds as soon as possible, Labour TD Liz McManus told the Dáil today.
The deputy Labour leader claims that controls on tanning salons announced last year by Minister for Health Mary Harney have stalled.
Minister Harney promised legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds, particularly to protect children under 16 years of age.
Ms McManus said: “Since the new Government has been elected, we have seen very little sunshine – and I’d imagine the use of sunbeds is going up rather than going down.
She quipped: “I think we will get very little sunshine with this Government.”
The TD said the sunbed proposals were held up due to the fact that they were tied in with other measures on tobacco control and food safety.
Representing the Government Tánaiste Brian Cowen said the legislation will come before the House “this year rather than this summer”.
Under the new draft laws, tanning salons will have to display prominent signs warning of the risks of skin cancer and to turn away anyone under 16.
Ms Harney announced the measures last year as the Government released a report on improving cancer prevention and detection.
In 2005, the World Health Organisation recommended that youths under 18 should be prohibited from using artificial tanning equipment.
