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)

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