ALERT: Potential ban on sun beds amid skin cancer 'numbers rising rapidly'

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland with over 11,000 cases diagnosed annually, according to a new warning by the HSE.

This includes melanoma skin cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer and the number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland is rising rapidly, experts warn.

"Yet skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and not using sunbeds," according to the HSE.

A mandate to explore a ban on sunbeds has been provided in Ireland’s Programme for Government 2025, according to the HSE.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is "in favour" of banning sunbeds, calling the move a "no-brainer", RTE has reported recently.

"It is never safe to use a sunbed. Exposure of 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.

READ NEXT: RIP: 'You left us too soon'- Heartbroken family pay tribute to young girl who died suddenly

"The risk is associated with use in childhood and adolescence, and with frequent use. All sunbed users are at risk. There is no safe limit of exposure to UV radiation from sunbeds".

In response to the Taoiseach’s comment on a sunbed ban, Joe McGlinchey, Vice-Chairman of The Sunbed Association UK & Ireland said in a statement: “We were naturally very disappointed to hear the Taoiseach’s comment regarding sunbeds. Our membership operates lawful businesses in a highly regulated environment.

“To date, public policy on sunbeds in Ireland has been very much framed by a limited and
selective consideration of issues concerning our sector. The grounds for any proposed change to
legislation needs to be evidence-based and also reflective of a full consultation with all relevant
stakeholders.

"To date, we have not been given the opportunity to present our evidence. We are extremely confident that any proper assessment of available evidence will demonstrate that the responsible use of sunbeds in regulated salons is entirely consistent with public health
requirements on cancer prevention.

“Developing policy and legislation in a vacuum that excludes input from lawful, responsible and
regulated operators will lead to initiatives that are ineffective, misguided and result in unintended
consequences.

"In particular, evidence from other countries has demonstrated that banning lawful operators will merely drive the business underground and ultimately frustrate the achievement of the desired public health outcomes.”

Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE’s NCCP, warns that “Skin cancer is a significant public health problem in Ireland. 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.”

Craig Sinclair, Head, Prevention Division, Director, World Health Organization Collaborative Centre for UV Radiation at Cancer Council Victoria, says: “There is a precedent for the successful banning of sunbeds. Australia introduced an outright ban on commercial sunbeds in 2016. 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”.

UV-emitting tanning devices, such as sunbeds, are classified as carcinogenic to humans.

The European Commission Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) has stated that there is no safe limit for exposure to UV radiation from sunbeds. People who use sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75%.

“We have recently undertaken a comprehensive assessment of sunbed use in Ireland. 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,” Dr Helen McAvoy, Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Health said.

The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 is enforced by the HSE National Environmental Health Service (NEHS).

Selling or hiring a sunbed to anyone under the age of 18 years is prohibited by law in Ireland, certain marketing practices and health claims are not allowed, and warning notices are required.

Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, states: “Action to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer is a priority of Government. This is reflected in the Programme for Government commitment to explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use. I’m pleased to say that I have established a cross-departmental Working Group to consider how to achieve this aim.”