Cork tanning firm seeks alternative to outright sunbed ban

A Cork tanning business is urging the Government to take alternative action following the launch of a public consultation regarding a proposed ban of the commercial use of sunbeds.

The proposed ban, announced last week by the minister for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, comes following the publication of a report by the Institute of Public Health (IPH), which presents compelling evidence of the health risks associated with sunbed use.

The report recommended a ban on commercial sunbed use to reduce the incidence of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in Ireland. Ms Murnane O’Connor has since established a cross-departmental working group to explore the implications of such a ban, which will consider international best practices, including lessons from countries such as Australia, where commercial sunbed use has already been banned.

Speaking to The Echo, Tomasz Wendorf, the owner of Sun Studio Tan & Nails Salon, which has two locations, in Shandon and Midleton, said that the ban will not only impact his livelihood, but the livelihood of his seven employees.

“The ban will mean that my business will have to close — what does that mean for us, for the people who are working here, the loans we have and the investments we’ve made?”

“I think that stricter regulations or rules would be better than just banning them.

“I do agree that the current regulations are not followed by some owners, but there should be stricter enforcement, like fines or a threat of losing your licence.

“I don’t see why they want to take a choice away. Smoking and alcohol have much bigger health risks than sunbeds, but nobody is talking about banning smoking or drinking.”

Fianna Fáil councillor for Cork City North West, Dr John Sheehan, who is also a GP, said that he is “in favour of a complete ban”.

“For many decades they have been widely unregulated, especially with people being able to hire them and use them at home.

“Irish people have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

“Obviously this will affect certain businesses, and that is something the Government will have to look at, but ultimately, this is about public health — you’re looking at the greater benefit for society.”