Credit: Claudia Otte / Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0

Legislation introduced in 2014 has already restricted access to commercial sunbeds to over-18s, and the government is now consulting on the introduction of a total ban on commercial sunbed use.

The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has recommended a ban on commercial sunbed use to reduce the incidence of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in Ireland.

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 such a ban.

The working group will consider international best practices, including lessons from countries like Australia, where commercial sunbed use has already been banned.

Ms Murnane O’Connor said: “This consultation marks an important step in our commitment to protect public health.

“The evidence is clear: there is no safe level of sunbed use. Despite existing legislation, sunbeds are still being accessed by young people, putting them at serious risk of skin cancer.

“We must act decisively to prevent avoidable harm. I am encouraging everyone to have their say by participating in this public consultation.

“This is an important step in our efforts to safeguard the health of our communities, especially our young people, from a known carcinogen.”

The consultation invites feedback from the public, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders and advocacy groups on a proposed ban and its potential impact.

Submissions will inform the working group’s recommendations to government later this year.

Professor Mary Horgan, the chief medical officer, said: “The evidence linking sunbed use to skin cancer is unequivocal. This is preventable harm, so we must focus on developing policies that protect people from these products.

“The goal is to ensure that any recommendations are grounded in evidence, science, public health priorities, and the lived experiences of people across Ireland.

“As the results of this public consultation will inform the work of the cross-departmental working group, it is vital that the public consultation is a thorough and inclusive process that considers the views of all stakeholders.”

The public consultation will remain open until 3 October 2025.