Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, the minister for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, recently established a cross-departmental working group to explore the policy, legal, and public health implications of a ban.

A public consultation on the proposed ban on commercial sunbed use recently closed.

On Friday, Ms Murnane O’Connor launched a new report from the Health Research Board (HRB) which examined global evidence on strategies to reduce sunbed use and related skin cancer incidence.

Dr Tonya Moloney, research officer at the HRB, said: “The review shows that single interventions have limited impact in reducing sunbed use.

“The evidence indicates that education changes attitudes but not always behaviour, while regulation alone reduces access but doesn’t address underlying motivations.

“The review shows that progressing Irish policy in this area would be justified if a dual approach is taken involving legislation addressing restrictions, as well as targeted education campaigns.

“Enforcement of restrictions is essential to establish reductions in sunbed use. This isn’t just about reducing statistics — it’s about preventing thousands of cancer diagnoses and saving lives.”