Having tanned skin all year round is very popular look in Ireland and while it can be achieved through creams and spray tans, is still often sought through visits to tanning booths and sunbeds.  While the perception is that the tanned look is healthy, it is ironic that tanned skin is in fact damaged skin.

Skin cancer is the most common cause of cancer in Ireland.  Figures from the National Cancer Registry show that there are approximately 5,740 new cases of skin cancer every year though the good news is that skin cancer is a highly preventable form of cancer. Surveys undertaken by the Environmental Health Officers’ Association and the Irish Cancer Society have demonstrated that 7% of the population use sunbeds with 3% using them as frequently as once a week.

International research documented in Standards Australia 2002 show that sunbeds can emit Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) radiation up to 5 times as strong as the Australian midday sun and therefore their use can substantially increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

Based on this Environmental Health Officers are trying to highlight the fact that the use of sunbeds/booths can increase your risk of skin cancer and that there is no regulation of the tanning industry in Ireland.  We have become used to seeing solariums available in premises from leisure centres, to beauty salons, hairdressers, hotels and video shops and there is a presumption amongst the general public that someone somewhere is regulating this service. This is not the case.

Currently there is no requirement to wear protective eye covering which may result in eye damage, there is no minimum requirement for staff training nor is there any requirement for registration or minimum structural/operational standards within the premises. There is no age of consent for the use of sunbeds though a minimum age of 16 was announced as part of the 2006 Cancer Strategy.

Environmental Health Officers are actively lobbying the Department of Health and children on this issue and that of tanning facilities in general.

For further information on sunbeds and skin cancer please log on to www.irishcancersociety.ie

Click here to contact your Environmental Health Officer