While the government moves toward a ban on commercial sunbed use, we’re still seeing more young people than ever using them.
In March 2026, the Department of Health published two reports sharing information on commercial sunbed use and confirmed the issue is now progressing to the next phase of policy development. No ban has yet been introduced, urging a new coalition group to put pressure on the government to impose a blanket ban on sunbeds as soon as possible.
The coalition group is made up of the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Skin Foundation, Melanoma Support Ireland, the Irish Association of Dermatologists, the Marie Keating Foundation, the Irish College of GPs and more. Their motives behind lobbying are to save lives, and in particular, young lives. They believe that banning sunbeds will decrease the risk of multiple skin cancers and save taxpayer money by around €9.7 million a year in costly cancer treatment.
Research from the Irish Cancer Society and the Institute of Public Health in 2024 shows that roughly one-in-20 (5.2%) children aged 10 to 17 in Ireland use sunbeds, despite legislation prohibiting the use of sunbeds for those under 18. Around 120,000 people in Ireland use sunbeds, and research from Melanoma Focus reports that in Belfast, 37% of adults in the city use sunbeds.
The group also shared that sunbed use increases a person’s risk of developing melanoma. This risk increases by 75% for people who use sunbeds before the age of 35. Leading Irish skincare expert Eavanna Breen shares her thoughts on sunbed use: “Sunbeds aren’t just cosmetic, they’re classified in the same cancer causing category as smoking and asbestos, and skin cancer is already the most common cancer in Ireland.”
The conversation is particularly poignant, as skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. It’s believed that over 13,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Even more maddening, The HSE highlights that nearly 9 out of 10 cases could be prevented by protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation with sun cream and never using sunbeds.
While no ban has yet been introduced, the Government is still working to move the process forward, with the Department stating that the reports, alongside a third public consultation report, are still being finalised. It will then be considered before policy proposals are brought to Government for decision.
Looking forward to summer, with occasions like gigs, festivals, weddings and more lining up, it’s clear that the safest glow to get is one that comes from a bottle. Chatting with Suzie O’Neil, founder of the Irish fake tan brand AyuGlo, she shares why opting for fake tan is the kindest choice you can make for your skin. “There is simply no such thing as a safe sunbed, or tan. If I can achieve the same glow with false tan and feed my skin at the same time with great ingredients, why would I expose my skin to UV damage, premature ageing and an increased cancer risk? Looking bronzed should never come at the expense of your skin health.”
“With fake tan, you don’t have to choose between a gorgeous glow and looking after your skin. You can achieve natural, sun-kissed colour year-round without the damage, premature ageing and health risks associated with sun exposure and sunbeds.”
To read our review on AyuGlo’s Self Tanning Mousse here, and learn more about correct sun safety from new sun cream brand founder Amelia Slattery here.
