Irish study finds one in 20 children have used a sunbed

The study also found that 90% of young people in the study said they had experienced sunburn at least once, and 74% had in the previous year. File photo

Up to 5% of children aged 10 to 17 have used a sunbed, according to a new study which argues that targeted interventions are needed to increase sun safety behaviors and to eliminate tanning bed use among young people.

The study uses data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Ireland study, involving 10,271 young people, and looking at sun safety behaviors, sunburn, and the frequency and circumstances of indoor tanning bed use.