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The Institute of Public Health said a ban on sunbeds would reduce the risk of skin cancer. Alamy, file

The government's advisors have told it to ban sunbeds

A cross-departmental working group is to explore a ban on the use of commercial sunbeds.

LAST UPDATE | 9 Jul

GOVERNMENT ADVISORS HAVE said sunbeds should be banned in Ireland for causing skin cancer.

Sunbeds provide a cosmetic tan to the skin by emitting different types of ultraviolet radiation to stimulate melanin in the skin to produce a tanned appearance. The World Health Organization has previously classified the assets as carcinogenic.

Public health minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has today announced a cross-departmental working group which will work to ban use of sunbeds commercially.

The Institute of Public Health has recommended a ban on sunbeds in Ireland to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Despite existing regulations, the institute highlighted concerns around their use by children in Ireland. It also cited significant public health risks associated with ultraviolet radiation, which cause cancer.

The HSE last month said lessons should be learnt following a 2013 ban on commercial sunbeds in Australia. Currently, there are restrictions in place for the use of sunbeds for those under the age of 18 in the EU.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week expressed support for a potential ban on commercial sunbeds, which is included in the programme for government, telling The Journal that outlawing them was a “no-brainer”.

Junior minister Murnane O’Connor said the government is seeking to do “everything within our power” to protect the public from harmful products and reduce the risk of cancer.

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    Mute Barry Murphy
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:17 PM

    I thought sunbeds were a thing of the past since the introduction of fake tan, women of all ages walking around in December looking like oompa loompas. Wouldn’t mind if they could apply it properly but most of them look like they need a good scrubbing ;)

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:35 PM

    @Barry Murphy: So these women aren’t scrubbers then?

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    Mute Darren Cooney
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:29 PM

    Nanny state, let people decide what they want for themselves but give warnings.

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    Mute Anthony Curran
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:40 PM

    @Darren Cooney: People said the same when seat belts were made mandatory. Ever see a body after it’s gone through a windscreen?

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    Mute Mark Donnelly
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    Jul 9th 2025, 1:23 PM

    @Darren Cooney: are the hospitals allowed tell those people who give themselves cancer to take a hike when they come looking for treatment

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    Mute Gerard Smith
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    Jul 9th 2025, 3:23 PM

    @Darren Cooney: it’s not Nanny State at all. It’s perfectly legitimate for an elected government to legislate for dangers to the health of the public. They should do more of it.

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    Mute Michael Power
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    Jul 9th 2025, 4:06 PM

    @Darren Cooney: I know, next thing you know, they’ll be making motor cyclists wear crash helmets.

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    Mute Marie McPhillips
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:56 PM

    @Darren Cooney: have you ever seen a person with skin cance

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    Mute Bobby T
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:57 PM

    Irelands answer to everything, Ban it or Tax it

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    Mute Rochelle Hart
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    Jul 9th 2025, 2:06 PM

    @Bobby T: Unless it has an influential lobby like greyhound racing, then it gets taxpayer funding.

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    Mute Spanner
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:06 PM

    Expert report 2 years
    Study the report 2 years
    Consult with stakeholders 1 year
    General election
    That was the last government so it’s a
    New report etc etc…

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    Mute Cormo R
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:31 PM

    They’ll have to find a new way to launder money so…..

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 9th 2025, 11:48 AM

    I thought they were banned years ago.

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    Mute David O toole
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    Jul 9th 2025, 1:45 PM

    If that’s the case should they not ban cigarettes as they are the leading cause of cancer. Or is it that they get too much exise duty on cigarettes for them to ban them. More regulation for sunbeds that can be implemented and not an outright ban i think.

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    Mute Vinny Hughes
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:27 PM

    Will the government have to compensate these businesses (or in other words you and I?)

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    Mute john murray
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:45 PM

    Nothing a few brown envelopes won’t sort.

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    Mute D
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    Jul 9th 2025, 1:27 PM

    Nanny State

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    Mute Kris
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:45 PM

    @D: but not banning smokes only nanny state when no tax to collect

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    Mute William Tallon
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    Jul 9th 2025, 1:53 PM

    Presumably, the idea of sunbeds is to emulate the natural tanning process that occurs when you’re in sunnier climes. I can see some zealous officials involved in public health at some stage suggesting that sun holidays be limited or banned altogether on the grounds that they’re as dangerous as sunbeds! That’s assuming anyone will still be able to afford a sun holiday…

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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    Jul 9th 2025, 1:50 PM

    Another money laundering front ended. How would any place place that does sunbeds only in 2025 make enough money to be a legitimate business?

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    Mute Capaxdei Orbis
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    Jul 9th 2025, 2:40 PM

    It should be a personal choice, there are some health benefits as well given the lack of sunshine in Ireland.

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    Mute Pat Redmond
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    Jul 10th 2025, 8:46 AM

    @Capaxdei Orbis: nonsense

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    Mute Be Lucky
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    Jul 9th 2025, 11:46 AM

    Ridiculous, there more nos in this country now that yes.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:56 PM

    Essential business only for our elected officials

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    Mute Brian D'Arcy
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    Jul 9th 2025, 2:29 PM

    Special advisors? Why if that was Sinn Féin they’d be called a shadowy element deciding policies but not for the government, hmm

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    Mute Thomas O'Brien
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    Jul 9th 2025, 4:18 PM

    The Journal is obsessed with sunbeds.

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    Mute Simon hall
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:40 PM

    The under 18s bán is logical. Maybe a heath warning for adults. I personally think they’re stupid, but if adults want to use them then that’s on them. If they do cause skin cancer, then id have no issues with a slightly higher tax on them to cover future health related expenditure

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