COMMERCIAL SUNBED USE in Ireland should be banned, according to a working group set up by the government.

In a report published today, a majority of the Sunbed Working Group recommended proceeding with the ban due to public health evidence on skin cancer, non-compliance with age restrictions, limited effectiveness on other regulation, and international evidence.

It said that skin cancer presents an increasing challenge for public health in Ireland.

“From a health perspective, a ban on commercial sunbed use represents the most effective and evidence-based policy option to protect the Irish population, particularly children and young people, from the harmful effects of sunbed use.”

There is already legislation around sunbeds which is aimed at eliminating sunbed usage by those under 18 years. However, the group said there is evidence of ongoing use in this age group.

The report states that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

It adds that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial sources such as sunbeds “is a well-established, modifiable risk factor for skin cancer”.

Irish people are also particularly vulnerable to burns and are at greatest risk of skin cancer from UV radiation, due to factors relating to the population’s skin types.

The report said that evidence from the commercial sunbed ban in Australia demonstrated a reduction in the availability of UV emitting devices.

On public health evidence, it said there is strong and consistent scientific evidence, amassed over several decades, “that exposure to UV radiation from sunbeds causes skin cancer and that there is no safe level of exposure”.

It said children and people under the age of 35, who represent more than 45% of current users, are most vulnerable.

It argued that a ban would send a strong public health message about the dangers.

The group said economic modelling studies predict that a ban on commercial sunbed use, combined with a public information awareness campaign, would lead to a reduction in skin cancer related deaths and associated healthcare cost savings.

A reservation was raised by a member of the group relating to the potential economic impacts on sunbed businesses.

Minister for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “We know that sunbed use is linked to increased risk of skin cancer, so we must take strong action that protects our population from this preventable harm.

“I thank the Working Group members and stakeholders for their dedication and contribution.

“I have granted approval for this work to progress to the next phase of policy development, supporting our Programme for Government commitment to explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use as part of Ireland’s cancer prevention framework.”