Children to expose illegal tanning

Sunbed operators who sell sunbed use to children are at greater risk of being exposed following the development of new guidelines permitting the use of minors to check who is breaking the law.

The Test Purchase Guidelines, issued today by Health Minister Leo Varadkar, will allow the HSE’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) to send children aged 15-17 into sunbed premises and attempt to purchase a sunbed session.

Having children pose as potential customers is not an attempt at entrapment, according to Mr Varadkar.