Vol. 521 No. 4
171 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the regulations and controls surrounding the use of sunbeds; if a licence or some form of medical training is required to operate one; if he will introduce stricter controls in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17539/00]
Existing consumer legislation sets standards for tanning equipment and requires appropriate warning notices to be displayed on the equipment. I am advised that no licence or medical training is required to operate one. I have no plans to introduce stricter controls in this area.
With regard to use of sunbeds the advice from my Department is that sunbeds should be used in moderation and that people should seek the advice of their doctor before doing so for the first time. In certain circumstances exposure to sunbeds may constitute a hazard. Sunbeds should not be used by persons under 18 years of age, persons who burn easily or tan poorly, those taking drugs or cosmetics thought to be photoactive, those suffering from skin disorders induced or aggravated by exposure to sunlight, those with a history of skin cancer, and those with risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. A consumer information sheet on possible risks from tanning equipment and the appropriate precautions is available from the Irish Cancer Society.
Sunbeds are widely used in beauty salons by beauty therapists who offer cosmetic tanning as part of their services. Guidelines on the use of sunbeds by beauty therapists in beauty salons were drawn up by the Society of Applied Cosmetology which represents beauty therapists. These guidelines incorporate advice from the Irish Cancer Society on appropriate precautions to be taken by sunbed operators to protect the health of clients. The health promotion unit in my Department supports a range of initiatives organised by the Irish Cancer Society which impact on awareness of the risk factors associated with many cancers including melanomas. A sunsmart campaign is organised each year by the society to increase awareness of risk factors for skin cancer and to encourage people who are high risk to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and to avoid the use of sunbeds.
