A ban on the use of sunbeds by people under 18 years of age comes into effect next month. Health Minister James Reilly says it is an important step to tackle growing skin cancer rates here.

Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer in Ireland at the moment, with over 10,000 new cases annually.

There is growing evidence that teenagers and young adults are using sunbeds before landmark events such as communions and debs.

The new law will ban the use of sunbeds - in a sunbed premises - by persons under 18 years of age. It will be against the law to sell or hire a sunbed to anyone under 18 and the new law forces sunbed operators to make clear all the dangers of sunbed use.

"What young people must realise is that they are putting their health at serious risk by using sunbeds" the Minister said.

"I would ask all sunbed users to consider the pain and scarring and even possible death that can result from skin cancer and to ask themselves 'is it worth it'? Is having a 'healthy' tan really worth risking my life?".

The provisions will come into effect before the end of July and will be enforced by the Environmental Health Officers of the HSE.

The HSE has welcomed the announcement, saying that the provisions will protect the public, and particularly children and young adults, from the risk of skin damage, skin cancer and other health risks including premature ageing and eye damage.

It says these can all be caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and sunbed use.