Evidence supports sunbed ban to reduce skin cancer in Ireland
A new report published by 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.
The report looks at sunbed availability, analyses data on sunbed users, current regulations on sunbeds as well as infringements and policy options internationally. The report examined measures introduced in other countries, such as education and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing sunbed use, as well as greater regulation, including a complete ban on sunbeds.
Key findings in the report include:
- Data on sunbed use in Ireland shows that sunbeds continue to be used by children and adolescents despite regulations restricting their availability to anyone under the age of 18 with 5.2% of children aged 10-17 years reported ‘ever’ using a sunbed.
- In 2023, the number of sunbed operators registered with the HSE stood at 363. Every sunbed provider is required to register with the HSE National Environmental Health Service, which oversees compliance with the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014.
- A ban on commercial sunbeds, however, has already been implemented in Australia, Brazil and Iran. Modelling studies from a number of countries suggest that a commercial sunbed ban is a cost-effective policy measure, even when campaign-related costs and tanning industry losses were taken into account.
- The report concludes that sunbed use poses a significant population health risk in Ireland and recommends a ban on sunbeds as the preferred option for reducing skin cancer risk.
The report will inform the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) who coordinates the implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan (2023-2026). The report also supports the government’s commitment under the Programme for Government 2025 to explore a ban on commercial sunbed use. Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor established a Working Group to consider how this can be achieved in July 2025.
The IPH report, ‘An overview of sunbed use in Ireland and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk’, is available here.
Ahead of the launch of the report the HSE’s NCCP and IPH held an event to inform future policy options to reduce skin cancer risk in Ireland.
Speakers included:
- Opening address from Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor
- Ciara Reynolds, Institute of Public Health
- Maria McEnery, HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme
- Jane Murray, patient advocate
- Dr Aoife Lally, Consultant Dermatologist
- Craig Sinclair, Cancer Council Australia
The presentations were recorded on the day and can be watched back by clicking here.
