Minister Murnane O’Connor Launches Public Consultation on Potential Ban of Commercial Sunbed Use in Ireland
The following press release was issued by The Department of Health on July 25, 2025 and is shared here with their kind permission. Press Release: Friday 25 July 2025 The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, today launched a nationwide public consultation on the potential introduction of […]
New Institute of Public Health Report recommends a ban on sunbeds.
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. The report, ‘An overview of sunbed use in Ireland and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk’, analysed available data on sunbed users, sunbed availability, current regulations on sunbeds […]
New Skin Cancer Report by the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) reveals positive trends but highlights ongoing risks and prevention needs.
Author: Communications Officer, National Cancer Registry of Ireland. A new report published by the NCRI shows good news for skin cancer patients with most people (close to 100%) surviving at least five years after being diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer. For melanoma, the more serious type of skin cancer, survival rates have improved significantly to […]
New Report Documents Sunburn, SunSmart Behaviours and Sunbed Use by Children in Ireland for the First Time
A new report titled, Children’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation – a risk profile for future skin cancers in Ireland, which was published on June 17th 2020, presents findings on children’s exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and sunbeds, UV skin protection behaviours, and sunburn. High-risk groups: children and young people The report was […]
Influencing sun protection behaviour: lessons from Australia
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, published last year recommends that the Department of Health to “the develop a national skin cancer prevention plan and oversee its implementation as a priority. The plan will prioritise children, outdoor workers, sunbed users and those who pursue outdoor leisure activities” With Ireland facing increased incidence of skin cancers year […]
Government ends ‘perverse anomaly’ of lower VAT rate on sunbeds than on sunscreens
A welcome end to ‘perverse anomaly’ of lower VAT rate on sunbeds, which cause skin cancer, compared to sunscreens, which help to prevent it. Next step – a complete ban! Skin cancer in Ireland Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Yet, in most cases, it is one of the most preventable forms […]
Sunbeds cause skin cancer when used exactly as intended…
It’s official, there is no safe limit for exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunbeds, according to independent scientific committee. Skin cancer in Ireland Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Yet, in most cases, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. There are two main types: non-melanoma (including […]
No safe limit for exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunbeds
No safe limit for exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunbeds It’s official, there is no safe limit for exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from sunbeds, according to independent scientific committee. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with rates projected to treble in the next 25 years. Yet, in most cases, it is […]
Skin Cancer Prevention – Lessons from Australia
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Yet in most cases, it is preventable and early detection leads to better outcomes. With rates projected to treble over the next 25 years, how can this trend be reversed? A world first In 2014, Australia became the first country in the world to bring about […]
New restrictions on sunbeds should go further
The Irish Skin Foundation has welcomed new regulations to prohibit sunbed business operators from promoting sunbed sessions for minimum periods of time but urged the Minister to go further. “These new restrictions are absolutely a step in the right direction”, according to according to dermatologist Dr Patrick Ormond from the Irish Skin Foundation, “but we can […]