The head of the Irish cancer control programme Prof Tom Keane has said he would support a total ban on sunbeds in the State.
Speaking today on the second day of the Livestrong global cancer summit in Dublin he said recent research classified sunbeds as a category one carcinogen.
If there was a category one carcinogen in food there would be "a massive clamour out there for it to be banned", he said.
There was absolutely compelling data, he added, that sun exposure, whether it was through natural exposure or artificial causes, was a major cause of skin cancer and in Ireland there had been a very rapid increase in the incidence of melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
But he said that like many other behaviours Government can only play a part though legislation. "A big part of this is around education, educating parents, educating the public that lying under a sun tan machine and potentially getting excessive exposure is simply not healthy, it's a risk," he said.
In many countries legislation is being progressed to either ban sunbeds or control use of sunbeds and licence their use, he said, adding that a total ban on them would be very helpful.
His comments came a day after health minister Mary Harney told reporters attending the summit she would favour a total ban on sunbeds.
"We know that sun beds are dangerous," she said, adding that it was particularly sad to see children as young as six or seven being exposed to them before their First Holy Communion.
Ms Harney said promised legislation banning sunbed use by those under 18 years is to be drafted soon. But she has asked her officials to look at whether a total ban could be put in place. This would need EU approval, she said.