Ban on sunbeds is a ‘no-brainer', says Taoiseach
While the HSE issued a warning on the use of sunbeds on Monday, the number of skin cancer cases diagnosed in Ireland were 'rising rapidly'.
The use of sunbeds by those under 18 was introduced in 2010 by then Health Minister Mary Harney and there have been numerous calls since for there to be an outright ban in Ireland.
The HSE this week said there are 'lessons to be learnt' from Australia, where a ban on commercial sunbeds has been in place since 2016.
Speaking in Tokyo, the Taoiseach said a ban on sunbeds would be something he would advocate for.
"I would hope we would bring in legislation and I favour [a ban on sun beds],' Mr Martin said.
'It's something I would be advocating for. I'm of a view it is a no-brainer, anything that's a no-brainer we should do in terms of prevention,' he added.
On the ongoing issue of the third level student contribution fees, Mr Martin again said the Government was committed to the gradual reduction over the lifetime of the Government.
However, it remains unclear whether the process to reduce the fees will begin this year.
'In terms of the student contribution, everyone has agreed within Government that there wouldn't be special cost of living this year. So that has implications for all of the ministers starting positions in terms of the allocation that they currently have,' Mr Martin said.
"So clearly, ministers have to get provision, not just in that area, but in some other areas as well, to bring it down.
'I would hope that would start in the estimates process that's currently being negotiated right now, and that we are committed to reducing it over the lifetime of the Government that's in the Programme for Government,' he added.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said he believed the current level of cocaine use in Ireland was an 'epidemic'.
It comes as €31 million worth of cocaine was seized off the coast of West Cork on Tuesday, with four men arrested in relation to the seizure.
Asked if he believed cocaine use was an 'epidemic', Mr Martin said yes and added that its use was a worry for the health of the country.
'I believe it is. From what I hear anecdotally, the use and the prevalence of cocaine use has grown significantly and that is very worrying in terms of the health of the nation and younger people in particular,' he added.
'On the alcohol story, it's interesting, consumption has gone significantly down over the last 20 years, which is a positive from a public health perspective. But then there clearly is an increase in drug use, and we've had terrible tragedies, terrible, terrible tragedies with people as a result of using cocaine or other drugs also,' he added.
However, he said it remains unclear if the reduction in alcohol consumption is linked with the increase use of cocaine.
'I think we need more scientific analysis of that. There could very well be. There could very well be a link between the two, and that would be very worrying,' Mr Martin said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘They got it all wrong': Teenager's action against HSE over eye-squint surgeries settled for €120,000
A girl had six surgeries, which allegedly should not have taken place, to treat a congenital squint in one of her eyes, the High Court has heard. The girl, now a teenager, settled an action against the HSE on Thursday for €120,000 over her treatment at University Hospital Waterford. The settlement was reached without an admission of liability. In the girl's case it was claimed the surgery she had for a downward-looking eye allegedly caused an overcorrection and her eye then looked upward. READ MORE It was claimed that after the six surgeries the girl was left in a worse condition than she was in 2012 when she first had surgery as a toddler. Alan Keating SC, for the girl, told the court she was six-months-old when she was taken to the hospital as she had a congenital squint in her left eye. Counsel said that between the ages of two and seven years the girl had six surgeries involving the eye muscles, which their side would say 'were either wrong or should not have taken place at all'. Mr Keating said the first surgery resulted in an overcorrection where the child's eye then deviated upwards. Her right eye, which did not have a squint, was also operated on. 'Really, they got it all wrong,' he said at one stage. Mr Keating said the surgeries did not affect the girl's eyesight, but there is 'a profound cosmetic issue'. He said experts on their side would say that if nothing was done then it was likely the girl would now have a normal appearance. Experts on their side would also say that further squint surgery would be challenging, hazardous and unpredictable. In the proceedings against the HSE, it was claimed there was an alleged failure to discuss fully the risks and benefits of operating before the first surgery, including the risk of not improving the condition and needing further surgical procedures. There was also, it was claimed, an alleged failure to have such a conversation with the girl's parents in advance of the procedures. All the claims were denied. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable and he conveyed his best wishes to the teenager.
Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Irish Times
Avian flu detected in groups of sea birds washing up along west coast of Ireland
Groups of dead birds, a number of which were confirmed to be carrying the highly contagious avian flu, washed up on shorelines across the West of Ireland. On Thursday, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said that, following intensive surveillance over the last three weeks., the wild sea birds had been found in counties Kerry , Clare and Galway . Following tests by the Department of Agriculture , gulls and Guillemot were confirmed to have Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The disease can affect the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of birds, and has been detected in 25 in the last six months. READ MORE The Department of Agriculture has urged people not to touch sick or dead wild birds, and to keep pets away from them. The HSE has said it is difficult for humans to catch avian flu from a bird or animal, and that there is no evidence it can be passed between people. However, it said, if the virus mutates this may happen in the future. The HSE has also said that of the many strains of HPAI viruses, the H5N1 strain is widely regarded as the most serious for birds and humans. Minister for AgricultureMartin Heydon previously said there were two cases of H5N1 found in wild sea birds in June, in counties Kerry and Galway. If a person touches a sick or dead bird infected with avian flu, they will be monitored for 10 days and may be offered vaccination and antiviral medication if they are considered to be at risk. The Department of Agriculture has asked the public to report any sighting of sick or dead wild birds on the avian influenza wild bird reporting app, AvianCheck. Poultry keepers have been asked to report any suspicions of avian influenza in their flocks to their regional veterinary office or the National Disease Emergency Hotline. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 896 outbreaks of HPAI in poultry flocks and birds across Europe.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The rare cancer that affects three major areas of body – key signs to watch out for as 235 people diagnosed each year
The HSE is reminding Irish people of the symptoms you may spot that could be a sign of a rare cancer during its awareness month. July is Sarcoma Awareness Month - and the 2 A sarcoma is a rare cancerous tumour Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 July is sarcoma awareness month Credit: X Every year in Ireland, around 235 people are diagnosed with some type of sarcoma. A sarcoma is a rare In a post on "About 235 people are diagnosed each year in Ireland with some type of sarcoma." READ MORE IN HEALTH Spotting cancer early means that it is less likely to have grown bigger or spread, and may mean that it is easier to treat. To help the chances of detecting it early, you should know the signs and symptoms and be aware of changes to your body that are new or you cannot explain. You should then contact your If your GP thinks it may be cancer, they will refer you to a specialist for more tests. Most read in Health There are a range of signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, including: a new lump or bump a lump or bump that changes in size or look bleeding that you cannot explain - from anywhere in your body bruising you do not know the cause of pain that will not go away and has no clear cause pooing more often than usual or constipation blood in your pee or peeing more often than usual changes on your skin - a new or changing mole difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue losing weight without trying or that you cannot explain feeling tired all the time - more than is normal for you a new, persistent cough or a change to your usual cough shortness of breath - more than is normal for you night sweats you cannot explain The seven major symptoms of 'aggressive' rare cancer you might notice when using bathroom as HSE say 'know the signs' But it's important to remember that these are the common symptoms, and having them does not mean you have cancer as they can be caused by other If you have symptoms, you should contact your GP and not wait for your next cancer screening appointment. You should regularly check your body for any new lumps or changes - especially in the breasts, underarms, groin or testicles. You should contact your GP if you notice: a lump that is new a lump that is changing in size or appearance a lump in your breast or under your arm a testicle that feels different or has changed size a new cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks a cough that has changed or is different to your usual cough chest or shoulder pain that does not go away shortness of breath more than is normal for you blood when you cough have chest infections that keep coming back have blood in your poo have diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason. Feel you still need to poo after pooing have a pain in your stomach or bottom feel your tummy is bloated all the time have tummy discomfort have no appetite or you are full very quickly after eating Your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy have blood in your pee need to pee more often feel that you cannot fully empty your bladder strain or feel that it is difficult to pee often get up in the middle of the night to pee have a weaker flow of pee You may also see changes in your skin, including on moles, freckles or on a patch of skin. CHANGES IN SKIN Contact your GP if you have a mole that: has an uneven or crooked shape is changing shape or appearance has an uneven border with jagged edges is changing colour or has more than 1 colour - it may have brown, black, red, pink or white flecks or patches is bigger than 6mm wide, or is getting bigger is itchy, crusting, bleeding or sore A change in a mole could be a sign of a type of skin-cancer called melanoma, while a lump, unusual patch or crusted area of skin that has not healed is usually the first sign of non-melanoma Contact your GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as: blood in your pee or poo bleeding from your bottom blood when you cough blood in your vomit vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex vaginal bleeding when you are postmenopausal (at least 1 year after your last period) bruising you do not know the cause of You should contact your GP if you have lost weight and either do not know the cause, or did not lose it through dieting or You should also contact your GP if you have bloating that does not go away, or you experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux. HIGHER RISK Other signs include pain anywhere in your stomach or back, itchy or yellow skin or whites of eyes, or feeling tired and unwell but you're not sure why. you are age 50 and over - but it can happen at any age genetic tests show you have inherited specific genes, for example, BRCA or Lynch syndrome one or more of your close relatives have had cancer (such as parent, brother, sister or child)
