One sunbed operator in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough failed a test visit by a teenager under the age of 18, a report to councillors said.
The report presented to the borough council’s Operations Committee at a meeting in Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening indicated that 18 sunbed outlets were inspected in the borough during the past 12 months.
The outlet which failed the test purchase has received a written warning.
Speaking at the meeting, Glengormley DUP Alderman Paula Bradley said:
“I am happy that it was only one premises that failed to comply. The message is getting out there.”
She proceeded to ask at what stage a penalty could be imposed.
A director explained the council takes “a graduated approach through environmental health with a written warning, then a fixed penalty”, if necessary.
He indicated in this case, there were “mitigating circumstances” which involved a change of ownership. The director went on to say that advice is given with a “more formal approach” if there is another incident.
Ald Bradley asked if it would be publicised if someone was “a persistent offender”. She was told if the council took a prosecution against a premises, it would be publicised.
Test purchases by environmental health officers, accompanied by a young person under 18 years of age, are carried out by local authorities which have 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 ofsunbeds 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 of 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.
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 that 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.
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