29/04/2014

Business Fined For Under-18 Sunbed Session

A Belfast business that allowed a person under 18 to use a sunbed has been issued with a £250 fixed penalty by Belfast City Council.

The penalty followed a Council test purchasing exercise at seven premises with sunbed facilities on Friday 25 April.

The purpose of the exercise was to check the level of compliance with The Sunbeds Act (NI) 2011, which makes it illegal to allow a person under the age of 18 to use a sunbed on sunbed premises.

Out of the seven businesses visited, one sold a session to an under-18.

A council spokeswoman said: "The Sunbeds Act (N Ireland) 2011 came into force on 1 May 2012. Sunbeds are commonly used throughout Northern Ireland and have become increasingly popular since the 1990s. Modern sunbeds work by exposing the user to UV radiation which can be the equivalent of Mediterranean sunlight at midday in August.

"The new law was introduced because of the growing evidence of the health risks associated with sunbed use, including skin cancer, with young people at particular risk."

(IT)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 November 2024
All NI Schools To Have Defibrillators By End Of Academic Year
All schools in Northern Ireland will be provided with life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by the end of the current academic year.
28 November 2024
How Does Betting Regulation Work In Northern Ireland?
Just like many other regions worldwide, Northern Ireland has a lot of people that enjoy gambling. However, since this type of experience can lead to abuse and financial losses, there's a constant need for regulation. That's why there are many different regulations and guidelines when it comes to betting in Northern Ireland.
02 March 2011
Sunbeds Banned For Under 18s
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed a recent announcement by the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, that a new bill to stop under 18s using sunbeds has been passed by the Assembly.
13 May 2010
Sunbed Bill To Illuminate Risks
Young people in NI are to enjoy better protection against possible side effects of using artificial tanning on sunbeds. The first stage of a Bill aimed at preventing the use of sunbeds by young people under 18-years-old was passed at the Assembly today.
21 February 2003
Derry City Council bans sunbeds from local leisure centres
Derry City Council has announced it is to ban all sunbeds from its leisure centres. The decision was taken at a special meeting of Derry City Council on Thursday evening following discussions with local health authorities. Representatives from Althnagelvin Hospital and the Sunbed Association were in attendance at the meeting.