Scorching humour highlights tan risks

A POSTER campaign ridiculing young people who show off suntans was launched yesterday to drive home the message of the harmful effects of the sun.

Research shows that people aged 16 to 24 are the most likely to get sunburnt, with a third experiencing sunburn in the past year.

The study shows that more than three-quarters of young women (78 per cent) actively seek a tan despite the fact that the vast majority (94 per cent) are aware of the risks.

The Health Education Authority posters and postcards, launched today, use humorous and shock-tactic images including a sunburnt woman baked on a plate and a young man grilling himself on the barbecue.