Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:217. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33942/13]
View answerThursday, 11 July 2013
Questions (217, 244)
Joe McHugh
Question:244. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his views on the decision in July 2009 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to place sunbeds in the highest cancer risk category and its rating of sunbeds as carcinogenic together with tobacco and plutonium; if plans are being developed to regulate sunbeds here; the increase in incidence of skin cancer here that has been observed between 1994 and 2010; when the relevant legislation will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34080/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 244 together.
The apparent contradiction between the increase in skin cancers over the period from 1994 to 2010 on the one hand and the reduction in sunbed use indicated by the Irish Cancer Society's (ICS) research on the other hand can most probably be explained by the long latency period often associated with skin cancers - which can take many years to develop and present. In this context, it should be noted that ICS research indicates that the percentage of those who use a sunbed has reduced from 9% in 2003 to 4% in 2010.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is an expert body under the World Health Organisation, reclassified sunbed use as a group 1 carcinogen. This higher risk classification now places sunbed use on a par with cigarette smoking. The World Health Organisation, the Irish Cancer Society and the Environmental Health Officers' Association amongst others have expressed growing concern about the use of sunbeds. The Department has taken these developments fully into account in its consideration of the measures in the proposed legislation.
In addition to this prohibition on sunbed businesses from permitting persons under 18 years of age from using or hiring a sunbed, the legislation will also 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). Key provisions in the Bill will include:-
(i) a prohibition on anyone under 18 years of age using a sunbed on a sunbed premises;
(ii) a prohibition on the sale to or hire of sunbeds to anyone under 18 years of age;
(iii) a prohibition on the unsupervised use of sunbeds in a sunbed premises;
(iv) an exemption for medical purposes;
(v) control on the remote sale or hire of sunbeds (internet transactions);
(vi) sunbed operators, sellers and hirers will be required to notify the HSE;
(vii) a requirement that sunbed operators provide training for staff;
(viii) an enforcement regime and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance;
(ix) an obligation on all sunbed operators to provide protective eyewear to users;
(x) a requirement that warning signs be displayed in all sunbed premises;
(xi) a prohibition on certain promotional marketing practices;
(xii) a requirement on operators to ensure that sunbed users are made fully aware of the potential dangers of sunbed use; and a related provision whereby sunbed users are required to sign to confirm that they have been made so aware.
I am delighted to be in a position to confirm that my Department expects to complete the drafting of this legislation within the next 6-8 weeks. The legislation has been accorded priority drafting status and officials of my Department are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to complete the necessary drafting work. Once the drafting is completed, the legislation must be notified to the EU Commission under the EU Transparency Directive prior to its publication and initiation of the Bill in the Oireachtas. This EU notification requirement will necessitate a minimum of three months to complete.