The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 (No. 12 of 2014) was enacted in June 2014 and commenced on a phased basis in 2014 and 2015. The policy objectives of the legislation are to:
(a) protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer;
(b) regulate the use of sunbeds by those over 18 years of age so as to reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer, premature aging, damage to their eyes and other health risks from exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR); and
(c) generally promote a greater public awareness across all age groups, with a long-term view to reduce the incidence of skin cancers.
The HSE National Environmental Health Service (HSE/NEHS) Officers are authorised to enforce the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014. This involves inspections of sunbed premises, test purchasing for underage use, mystery shopping exercises, and complaint investigation. The HSE/NEHS take action as appropriate when breaches of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 have been identified. These include primarily engaging with the sunbed business operator to turn these non-compliances into compliances and may result in the service of Fixed Penalty Notices or instigation of legal proceedings as appropriate.
There are currently no plans to amend the existing public health (sunbeds) legislation for a central database or register to regulate customer usage, or to require a medical certificate clearance.
Europe's Beating Cancer Plan includes Action 18 which will 'explore measures to prevent exposure to ultraviolet radiation including from sunbeds '. The Department of Health will be engaging with any developments at a European level in relation to this action.
While there are no plans to develop a specific awareness campaign for transition year students, Action 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is to 'develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours '. The SunSmart campaign, which has run in 2021, 2022 and 2023, is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year. The campaign focuses on vulnerable groups with key target messaging. These groups are babies and children; adolescents and young people; outdoor workers; those who pursue outdoor sport and leisure; and sunbed users. SunSmart messaging has been included in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for 2nd year students, with a consultation due later in the year around including messaging in the senior cycle curriculum, including transition year.
Finally, while I make every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, it is not always possible to commit to every meeting request. However, it is a normal and productive practice for my officials to meet with interest groups on my behalf and I would suggest that the organisation in question submit a formal meeting request to my office.
