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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Sunbed use: Public consultation on potential ban in Ireland opens for submissions
A public consultation on a potential ban on commercial sunbed use in Ireland has been launched by Minister of State for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor . The announcement comes following the recent publication of a report by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) which recommended the banning of such beds to reduce skin cancer in the State. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with more than 11,000 cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed annually. According to the report, sunbeds are still being used by children and teenagers, despite regulations restricting their availability to anyone under 18. READ MORE The IPH said some 5.2 per cent of children aged 10-17 years reported 'ever' using a sunbed, while 4.4 per cent of children aged 10-17 reported using a sunbed in the last 12 months. Sunbed use is similar among boys and girls and among preteen and teenage children, it said. The public consultation, which is available on the department's website , will remain open until October 3rd. Submissions can also be made via email. In a statement on Friday, Ms Murnane O'Connor said the consultation invites feedback from the public, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders and advocacy groups on a proposed ban and its potential impact. [ Sunbeds, melanoma and me: 'I knew the risks but thought it could never happen' Opens in new window ] Submissions will inform the cross-departmental working group's recommendations to Government later this year, she added. 'The evidence is clear: there is no safe level of sunbed use. Despite existing legislation, sunbeds are still being accessed by young people, putting them at serious risk of skin cancer,' she said. 'We must act decisively to prevent avoidable harm. I am encouraging everyone to have their say by participating in this public consultation. This is an important step in our efforts to safeguard the health of our communities, especially our young people, from a known carcinogen.' Prof Mary Horgan, chief medical officer, said the evidence linking sunbed use to skin cancer is 'unequivocal'. 'This is preventable harm, so we must focus on developing policies that protect people from these products,' she said. 'The goal is to ensure that any recommendations are grounded in evidence, science, public health priorities and the lived experiences of people across Ireland.' [ Judge expresses concern that sunbeds are still allowed for adults amid illegal use by person under 18 Opens in new window ] In 2023, there were 363 sunbed operators registered with the HSE, which is a legal requirement. The majority of sunbed providers operate from a beauty salon or stand-alone premises, with 2023 data showing the greatest number of registered providers in Co Dublin (78), followed by Cork (49) and Limerick (23). HSE data indicates consistent breaches of sunbed regulations, specifically in relation to the minimum legal age of sale, record-keeping and health claims. In 2023, HSE enforcement data recorded 394 infringements with regulations across 368 inspections, mainly relating to warning signs, records, provision of eyewear and health information. There were 10 infringements identified through 47 test purchases, mainly for noncompliance with age verification. The IPH report also said there were 17 fixed payment notices served and four prosecutions taken under the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014.
Irish Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Post
Irish government considering banning use of sunbeds
THE Irish Government is considering banning the use of sunbeds after a report recommended they be outlawed to reduce cancer rates across the country. The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has recommended a ban on sunbeds to reduce the risk of skin cancer in Ireland, which has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Published this week, their report, titled 'An overview of sunbed use in Ireland and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk', analysed data on sunbed users, sunbed availability and the current regulations on sunbeds in Ireland. Public health minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has announced a cross-departmental working group to examine banning commercial sunbeds in Ireland (Pic: Rolling News) It found that despite it being illegal to use sunbeds in Ireland under the age of 18, children as young as 10 have used them. IPH Director of Policy, Dr Helen McAvoy, said their report 'provides evidence that sunbeds are still being used by children and young people despite existing regulations restricting their availability to anyone under the age of 18'. She added: 'Using sunbeds increases your risk for skin cancer; it is not safe to use a sunbed at any age. 'A ban on sunbeds has been shown to work,' Dr McAvoy explained. 'In Australia, it is estimated to have prevented tens of thousands of skin cancers and led to significant health cost savings. 'Introducing a similar ban on sunbeds in Ireland could help to stem skin cancer rates, which are projected to double over the next 20 years.' Ireland's Minister for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has welcomed the recommendations this week. 'This report reinforces what we already know - there is no safe level of sunbed use,' she said. 'Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, and we must act decisively to protect our population, particularly our young people, from preventable harm. 'The evidence is clear: sunbeds are still being used by children and young people, despite legal restrictions. 'This is deeply concerning.' She added: 'We must do everything within our power to protect people from its harms in order to save lives and reduce the burden of cancer on our health service.' A working group has been established to consider the move to ban sunbeds in Ireland, which is being led by Minister O'Connor. It is due to hold its first meeting this week, and the Minister praised the work of the IPH in providing data that supports the aims of the group. 'I commend the IPH for this important work,' she said. 'We now have a strong foundation to move forward with policy measures that prioritise the health and wellbeing of our communities, and I look forward to supporting the Working Group along with colleagues across Government and the health sector as we consider the next steps,' she added. See More: Ban, Ireland, Sunbed
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Institute of Public Health calls for ban on sunbeds
A ban on sunbeds has been recommended by the Institute of Public Health to help tackle spiralling rates of skin cancer in Ireland, now among the highest in the world. It found a high number of children and teens still using sunbeds even though under-18s are banned from sunbed outlets. The institute warned: People who use sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75%. Irish data which fed into the new report, published on Wednesday, shows that 5.2% of children aged 10 to 17 reported ever using a sunbed. A further 4.4% of this age group reported using a sunbed in the last 12 months. By 2023, some 363 sunbed outlets were registered with the HSE's National Environmental Health Service. Among these 78 were in Dublin, 49 in Cork and 23 in Limerick. During 368 inspections, the HSE found 394 infringements including the unsafe use of sunbeds by adults and accepting underage customers. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed annually. Ultraviolet light emitted from sunbeds is recognised as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the European Commission, the report also stated. This overview of sunbed use and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk examines a range of options. However, the Institute of Public Health concluded that a ban would be the most effective move. Its director of policy Helen McAvoy warned that sunbeds are still being used by children. 'A ban on sunbeds has been shown to work,' Dr McAvoy said. In Australia, it is estimated to have prevented tens of thousands of skin cancers and led to significant health cost savings. 'Introducing a similar ban on sunbeds in Ireland could help to stem skin cancer rates, which are projected to double over the next 20 years.' Minister of state for public health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has set up a working group to examine how a ban on commercial sunbeds could be implemented. 'This report reinforces what we already know, there is no safe level of sunbed use,' she said. 'Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, and we must act decisively to protect our population, particularly our young people, from preventable harm.'
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
HSE issues warning over sunbed use as skin cancer diagnoses rise above 11,000
The HSE has said there are 'lessons to be learnt' from Australia, where a ban on commercial sunbeds has been in place since 2016. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with more than 11,000 cases diagnosed every year. An event is being held by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and the Institute of Public Health (IPH) to discuss sunbed use in Ireland and explore future options for reducing skin cancer in Ireland "Skin cancer is a significant public health problem in Ireland,' public health specialist for the NCCP Dr Breeda Neville said. "The majority of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure, which means that skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting your skin from the sun's UV rays and by not using sunbeds.' Skin cancer diagnoses include cases of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Selling or hiring a sunbed to anyone under 18 is already illegal in Ireland, while a mandate to 'explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use' is included in the Programme for Government. The HSE has said using a sunbed is 'never safe' and exposing the skin to UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds damages skin cells, accelerates visible signs of ageing and increases the risk of developing skin cancer. 'There is a precedent for the successful banning of sunbeds. Australia introduced an outright ban on commercial sunbeds in 2016,' Craig Sinclair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said at the event. "The measure has enjoyed strong public support and has undoubtedly prevented thousands of skin cancers and delivered an estimated saving of over AU$64 million to the Australian Health system.' The use of UV-emitting devices like sunbeds is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). An IARC study has found using a sunbed for the first time before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75pc. 'We have recently undertaken a comprehensive assessment of sunbed use in Ireland,' Minister of State for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said. "The findings will inform the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan and provide policy options to reduce skin cancer risk. The Institute of Public Health looks forward to publishing our report in the coming weeks.'
The Journal
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Dublin tanning salons 'heavily' promoting products that encourage sunbed use
NEW RESEARCH HAS found that some Dublin tanning salons are 'heavily promoting' products that encourage sunbed use, including accelerators, despite there being a ban on promoting sunbeds themselves. While salons were still compliant with the Sunbeds Act itself, the HSE says the research shows a need for tighter regulations on these related promotions. The study, published by the Institute of Public Health and the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. It examined the marketing practices of two tanning salon operators in Dublin. The Sunbeds Act ensures that no person under 18 years of age can use a sunbed in any premises, and that sunbeds cannot be sold or hired to under-18s. Further restrictions put into place in 2015 banned certain marketing practices in relation to sunbeds, such as making positive health claims about their use. The study found that two operators used marketing strategies that made sunbed use 'sound appealing', and encouraged their use across a range of premises. Advertisement Ireland has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with more than 11,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Sunbed use is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, with the highest risk associated with use in childhood and adolescence, and with using sunbeds frequently. Around 3% of the population are reportedly currently using sunbeds. The study found that words like 'glowing' were used in social media posts related to sunbed use, and that tanning drinks were often promoted as being beneficial health wise as well. Dr Richard Purves from the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling, which led the research, said that the study showed that while operators are complying with 'the letter of the law', they often incentivise sunbed use by offering free or discounted products. 'Instagram plays a central role, with images of bronzed models, beach scenes, and limited-time promotions designed to attract customers. In-store marketing and special offers on tanning products further encourage sunbed use. Notably, some messaging still hints at unproven health benefits, exposing potential gaps in current regulations,' he added Dr Breeda Neville, specialist in public health medicine with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme said that the marketing strategies being employed by some operators are 'very concerning', especially when it comes to interactive content on instagram aimed at promoting sunbed use. The HSE advises that you should never use a sunbed, as it will increase your risk of skin cancer, and every user is put at risk. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
