A NEWLY FORMED coalition of cancer charities, medical organisations and advocacy groups has called on the government to introduce a total ban on sunbeds, warning they are contributing to rising melanoma rates in Ireland.

Sunbeds provide a cosmetic tan to the skin by emitting different types of ultraviolet radiation to stimulate melanin in the skin to produce a tanned appearance.

The World Health Organization has previously classified sunbeds as carcinogenic.

There are currently restrictions in place for the use of sunbeds for those under the age of 18 in the EU, but the coalition has raised concerns about underage use, with one in 20 children aged between 10 and 17 reported to have used sunbeds.

So today we’re asking: Should sunbeds be banned?