Sunbeds Consultation Report Published Amid Divided Views on Commercial Ban

The Department of Health has published the Sunbeds Public Consultation Report, setting out the views of the public, health workers, industry and other stakeholders on a proposed ban on commercial sunbed use in Ireland. The report was published by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD.

The public consultation was launched on 25 July 2025 and ran until 3 October 2025, as part of the Government's work to progress a Programme for Government commitment to explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use in Ireland.

The consultation received 9,320 survey responses from residents in Ireland. The majority of respondents self-assigned as members of the public, with 8,420 responses, or 90%, falling into this category. Smaller numbers of respondents identified as Health Worker (517, 6%), Industry (225, 2%), NGO (98, 1%) or Other (60, 1%). Eleven written submissions were also received from organisations through the dedicated consultation mailbox.

Overall, 84% of respondents reported having used a sunbed at some point, according to the report.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy:

"I welcome the publication of the Sunbeds Public Consultation Report, which provides valuable insight into the views of people and organisations on commercial sunbed use in Ireland. The consultation shows that this is a complex policy issue, with strongly held views across the public, health, industry and stakeholder groups.

The Government is committed to progressing this work in an evidence-based and proportionate way. This Report will inform the next phase of policy development, alongside legal, economic, EU and public health considerations."

The consultation identified a divergence in attitudes towards a potential ban. Many respondents did not support a ban on commercial sunbed use, citing personal choice, confidence, appearance, mental health, perceived benefits for skin conditions, and concerns that a ban could push sunbed use into unregulated settings.

According to the report, 73% of respondents strongly agreed that adults should be free to make their own health choices, and 68% strongly agreed that a ban would be a step too far. Overall, 67% strongly disagreed that they would welcome a ban on the commercial use of sunbeds.

Responses varied significantly by cohort. Within the Health Worker cohort, 58% strongly agreed that they would welcome a ban, compared with 88% of the Industry cohort who strongly disagreed with the same statement.

At the same time, the consultation identified support from public health, NGO, patient advocacy and environmental health stakeholders for enhanced public health measures, including a ban, on the basis of cancer prevention, child protection and reducing exposure to a known carcinogen. The report notes that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in Ireland, with over 11,000 new cases diagnosed annually, and that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic (Group 1).

While increasing public awareness of the risks of sunbed use was the most widely supported measure, selected by 76% of respondents, there was more limited support for an outright ban on commercial sunbed use, selected by 22%, and for banning the advertising and marketing of sunbeds, selected by 36%.

Minister Murnane O'Connor:

"I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the Sunbeds Public Consultation, including members of the public, health professionals, advocacy organisations, community representatives and industry stakeholders. Their contributions will help ensure that future policy decisions are transparent and informed.

Policy options will be brought to Government for decision following completion of further policy analysis and EU engagement."

The Department's next phase of work includes legal, economic, EU and public health considerations, before policy options are brought to Government for decision.