The Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill is expected to be completed by late 2012. The Bill will prohibit the use of sunbeds by those under 18 years of age and will set out a comprehensive range of measures to promote a greater public awareness across all age groups of the dangers of developing skin cancer, premature ageing and eye damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunbeds.
The Bill, when drafted, will need to be notified to the EU Commission under the Technical Standards Directive prior to its publication. This will require a 3 month standstill period. Thereafter, I will publish and initiate the Bill in the Oireachtas. Once initiated the Bill will be debated in both Houses during the Second, Committee and Report stages on the Bill.