Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication of the Public Health (Sunbed) Bill 2013. Earlier this month, the UN's International Agency for Research on Cancer presented research showing that the number of cancer cases will rise by 50% by 2030, which is just 16 years away. Cancer deaths globally are likely to rise from 8.2 million per year to 13 million. These worrying figures have been compiled by teams of more than 250 scientists from over 40 countries. Several reasons are put forward for this surge in cancer cases, including the aging populations of many nation states, as well as growing populations. However, behaviour is also cited as a factor, and included in this category is the use of sunbeds. For over half a century we have known that there is a definite link between certain behaviours and cancers. Smoking is one such behaviour which as we all know now causes cancer, despite the initial denials by manufacturers. Without doubt the use of sunbeds is also a behaviour which substantially increases the risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with the skin type of the majority of people in Ireland particularly susceptible to the disease. The Irish Cancer Society's finding that nine out of every ten cases of skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun, or from sunbeds, demonstrates the higher risks that most Irish people face. The statistics provide further evidence and show the alarming increase in the incidence of melanoma by 137% between 1994 and 2010. Yet much of this risk can be avoided. We need to realise that wearing sunscreen or sun cream is no longer just for travelling to foreign places. We also need to realise that by using sunbeds, we are putting ourselves at ridiculous risk of developing life-threatening cancers. The effects on children are even more pronounced. When parents permit their children to use sunbeds, they are increasing the risk of their children developing skin cancer by 75%. This is a fact that cannot be disputed and should serve as a startling wake-up call to anyone using sunbeds.

Ideally the Government would not have to regulate the use of sunbeds; parents and guardians would know better and would realise the potential harm. In legislating for any issue, there is a balance to be achieved in promoting the common good and in protecting or respecting individual, personal rights. To be very clear, the World Health Organization has classified sunbeds as belonging to the highest cancer risk category, which also contains tobacco and plutonium. Despite this, some people go to great lengths to get that so-called healthy glow. More ludicrous still are the efforts to which some parents go to have their children use sunbeds, even when it is common knowledge that children have sensitive skin and so are at even greater risk of developing skin cancer. Armed with the evidence of what is happening, it is clear the Government has a duty to step in.

The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer provides the following advice to governments, policy-makers and health-planners:

Lessons from cancer control measures in high-income countries show that prevention works, but that health promotion alone is insufficient. Adequate legislation plays an important role in reducing exposure and risk behaviours.

This Bill vital to help reduce the risk and exposure to skin cancer. Indeed, the Irish Cancer Society refers to the Bill as "life-saving legislation", which is completely accurate. As a result of medical research and evidence and as a result of concerns from parents, guardians, health professionals and others, the Bill is being enacted to ban outright the use of sunbeds by those under the age of 18. It rightly contains other essential provisions to ensure persons are informed and fore-warned of the potential, and likely, dangers and risks. It also prohibits ridiculous and groundless health benefit claims that some sunbed operators make. Marketing nonsense can be very powerful and we are all susceptible to it, which is why accurate, verified information is essential to help people make informed and wiser choices.

The HSE is to be instrumental in the enforcement of the regulations, and will be responsible for the register and for appointing authorised officers. I have concerns about enforcement and compliance, which has been problematic in other jurisdictions, and about how measures can be put in place to ensure someone who claims to be 18 is in fact 18. A similar situation occurs in nightclubs, where some people may unfortunately not be of legal age, in spite of the measures put in place.

In Victoria, Australia, a person with fair skin of type I or type II is not allowed to use tanning salons. Every client must have a skin type assessment made prior to using a sun tanning facility. I think that should be examined here, because those with the fairer skin types are most prone to melanoma and to skin cancers.

The Bill also provides for the control of the remote sale or hire of some beds, and I welcome that. There is also a requirement that sunbed operators provide training for staff, with which I fully agree. There is an obligation on all sunbed operators to provide protective eye wear and to maintain all sunbeds in a clean and hygienic condition. Warning signs are very important for these premises, and there is a prohibition on certain claims being made about alleged benefits of sunbeds, as well as a prohibition on promotional marketing practices.

This is a very welcome Bill. We see it is getting cross-party support, which is also welcome. The protection of children is very important, but I reiterate my concerns about how this will be enforced. Rules and regulations are fine, but when someone rushes into a salon who may not be 18, what measures will be in place so if the child is under the age of 18 she will not be able to use these facilities? I am not sure how the HSE will enforce that. There are issues with enforcement of other legislation, and the HSE has many different pressures to deal with, so I wonder where that body can ensure that this is enforced. I would also like to reiterate the concerns about skin type restrictions in Victoria, Australia. The Irish Cancer Society has stated that it would prefer if nobody used sunbeds. The evidence shows that sunbeds are a risk for every skin type. People with skin type I and skin type II have double the risk of developing skin cancer than people with skin type IV. We have heard it said that rules are being put in place to force people to do something, but when we look at something which has the potential to save lives, it is more important that we provide that level of protection. I commend the Government for introducing this very important Bill.

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