Consultation
6.A formal consultation on the policy proposals informing the Act was carried out during the period from 19 November 2009 until 19 February 2010.  The purpose of the consultation was to seek the views on whether and by what means the sunbed industry should be regulated in Northern Ireland.  It provided background and information on the recognised risks factors linking sunbed usage and skin cancer and invited views on a range of possible measures for regulating the industry.
7.A total of 46 consultation responses were received.  In general, there were many positive comments that welcomed the proposals.  A range of issues and suggestions were also highlighted and have been extremely helpful in informing consideration of the detail of the proposals.