Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was about to say I do not know whether it is a promotion or a demotion. I thank the Senator for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the current state of play with regard to the proposed public health legislation governing the use of sunbeds. There has been a growing body of evidence over recent years that the use of sunbeds, especially by children, should be restricted because of the associated increased risk of skin cancer and other health problems. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is an expert body under the World Health Organization, reclassified sunbed use as a group 1 carcinogenic. This higher-risk classification now places sunbed use on a par with cigarette smoking.

The World Health Organization, the Irish Cancer Society, the Environmental Health Officers Association and other bodies have expressed growing concern about the use of sunbeds. The Department of Health has taken these developments fully into account in its consideration of the measures in the proposed legislation. The Department has conducted two public consultations on the matter and has met a number of interested parties, including the Sunbed Association of Ireland, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the Health Service Executive, the National Consumer Agency, the National Standards Authority of Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society. The Department has also consulted the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which has responsibility for safety matters relating to sunbeds and other types of tanning equipment.

The Government has approved the drafting of legislation. I can confirm that the Bill has been accorded priority status in the Office of the Attorney General. Officials from the Department are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to complete the drafting of this important public health legislation. The Minister's key priority in the legislation is to prohibit people under the age of 18 from using sunbeds on a sunbed premises and from purchasing or hiring sunbeds. The Bill will also set out a comprehensive range of measures to promote greater public awareness across all age groups of the dangers of skin cancer, premature ageing and eye damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The Bill will require those involved in this sector to supervise sunbed use, issue notifications to the HSE, train staff, provide protective eyewear to sunbed users and display warning signs. Sunbed businesses will be required to provide comprehensive information setting out the health risks associated with sunbed use to anyone over the age of 18 who is considering sunbed use. Those who choose to use sunbeds despite the risks involved will be required to sign a form indicating they have been made fully aware of the potential dangers of sunbed use. In addition, there will be a prohibition on certain promotional and marketing practices. Comprehensive enforcement provisions will also be included in the Bill.

The drafting of the public health (sunbeds) Bill will be finalised in the next six to eight weeks. Thereafter, the legislation must be notified to the EU Commission under the EU transparency directive prior to its publication and introduction in the Oireachtas. This EU notification requirement will take a minimum of three months to complete. I hope my reply has been of some help to the Senator. I will inquiries about the Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012.