New restrictions on sunbed use in force from today

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has confirmed that further public health sunbeds restrictions come into effect from today in an effort to protect people from the risk of cancer.

“This is an important second step in regulating sunbed use. The more that someone uses a sunbed, the higher the risk they will get skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer is increasing faster than any other type. More than 850 new cases of melanoma are reported in Ireland each year, with 150 Irish people dying annually. So this phase of sunbed measures is all about making sure that adults know the risks,” Minister Varadkar said.

“The new laws require sunbed use to be supervised, and anyone supervising the use of sunbed must be 18 years of age or over. Both the premises and the sunbeds must be kept in a clean and hygienic manner. Offers and promotions such as free of charge use, half price sessions, happy hours or early bird offers will be banned.

“Customers will also be required to use protective eyewear which meets the required safety standards. More and more evidence is emerging that using a sunbed without protective eyewear can damage the eye and potentially cause cancers.”

The first phase of restrictions came into effect last July with prohibitions on anyone 18 from using, hiring or buying a sunbed.

The second phase of measures coming into effect from today will notify customers of the potential adverse health effects of using a sunbed. Health Information must be provided to anyone intending to use, hire or buy a sunbed, warning signs must be displayed on sunbed premises and claims about the alleged benefits of sunbed use on health will be banned.

Sunbed businesses are now required to notify the HSE, which will set up a list of notified sunbed businesses. The new provisions will be enforced by HSE Environmental Health Officers. Penalties will apply for failure to comply with the legislation.

“I want to thank the HSE, the Environmental Health Association of Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society and Marie Keating Foundation and others for their support for these new measures. This sort of co-operation is exactly what the Healthy Ireland initiative sets out to achieve,” Minister Varadkar said.