The Tánaiste has expressed his desire to introduce a ban on tanning beds.
Micheál Martin has raised concerns over sunbeds link to rising cancer rates, as a number of politicians are calling for the machines to be made illegal.
Minister Martin claims the beds are as harmful as smoking and asbestos.
Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, says a ban could force the industry underground:
"I remember growing up having pals, who had a sunbed in their house. Certainly, there's communities that will have will share a sunbed. and if this becomes a black market thing, you know it means some people will use them in a really reckless way. At least in reputable tanning clinics, they're very strict, and allowing people on for just a certain amount of minutes, and they're not allowed do it for more than a certain number of times a week."
