New rules governing the use of commercial sunbeds are to be introduced next month, including a ban on ‘unlimited' use, the Department of Health has confirmed.

From March 2, users of commercial sunbeds will be required to wear protective eyewear and will have to be supervised throughout, in an effort to minimise damage to the skin and eyes.

The owners of commercial sunbeds will be required to display warning signs and provide information on the health risks attached to this type of tanning. There will also be a ban on ‘happy hours' and the ‘unlimited' or ‘free' use of sunbeds.

"The more that someone uses a sunbed, the higher the risk they will get skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer is increasing faster than any other type. More than 850 new cases of melanoma are reported in Ireland each year, with 150 Irish people dying annually. So this phase of sunbed measures is all about making sure that adults know the risks," said the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar.

These new rules represent the second phase of measures introduced as part of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act. The first phase - a ban on people under 18 using sunbeds - was introduced last year.

Commenting on the new rules, Kathleen O'Meara of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) pointed out that sunbed use ‘is as carcinogenic as tobacco or plutonium'.

"It is our hope that this legislation will mark a turning point in attitudes to using sunbeds in Ireland. We would advise everyone not to use sunbeds, but it is vital that young people who are most at risk are protected," she noted.

The news was also welcomed by Liz Yeates of the Marie Keating Foundation, who pointed out that people under the age of 30 who use sunbeds have a 75% increased risk of developing malignant melanoma.

"For this reason, we are hopeful that these regulations, in particular the restriction on the marketing practices of sunbeds, will have a strong impact with this particular age group," she said.

The new rules will be enforced by HSE environmental health officers and according to the Department of Health, ‘penalties will apply' to those found breaking them.

Sunbed businesses will also be required to notify the HSE of their existence, so that a list of such businesses can be established.