A third of sunbed salons are knowingly allowing under 18s to tan.
The operators are allowing minors to use sun beds despite them being legally prohibited from doing do.
A mystery shopper survey by the Irish Cancer Society , has shown that 2 out of 5 operators offering sunbed sessions didn’t ask an underage person their age.
A similar number didn't ask the young person for ID.
RISKS
There are serious risks for young people who use sunbeds.
There is a 75% increased risk in melanoma when people begin tanning regularly before the age of 35.
The survey showed that a quarter of sunbed operators offered free sunbed minutes and 1 in 5 used two-for-one promotional offers.
The Irish Cancer Society says these promotional offers are in clear breach of sunbed legislation.
Averil Power, Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society, says this is unacceptable:
They’ve had almost five years to comply and need to get their act together.
The ICS hopes to see greater resources made available to allow for more inspections.
It hopes to see those found in breach of the law punished.
