From today, it is now illegal for under 18s to be allowed to use sunbeds.

Under the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act, it is also an offence to sell or hire a sunbed to anyone a person under 18.

New Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said the measure is an essential step to protect children's health and well-being and an important preventative measure in terms of skin cancer.

More than 850 new cases of the potentially deadly skin cancer melanoma are reported in Ireland each year, with 150 Irish people dying annually.

According to the Department of Health, skin cancer is projected to be the most rapidly increasing cancer over the coming decades.

"It is therefore essential that skin cancer prevention is addressed now or the next generation will face a future defined by rising ill-health and potential crippling health costs," the Department said.