1,000 signatures reached
To: Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD
Stop Melanoma Cancer - Ban Sunbeds Ireland
STOP Melanoma Cancer Ireland - Ban Sunbeds
Why is this important?
My name is Laura Warren, and I am from Kilkenny, Ireland. I am a multi-award-winning Nutritionist, Naturopathy Practitioner, and Yoga Teacher predominantly on Facebook & instagram as Elite Living Nutrition. I work with people online to help them improve their health and nutrition. I am also passionate about raising awareness about health and safety, particularly regarding the dangers of sunbeds.
I want to share my story—one that highlights a preventable tragedy. I was diagnosed with Stage 1b Melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, after years of using sunbeds and exposing my skin to ultraviolet radiation. In my youth, I was encouraged to use sunbeds to get a “base tan” before holidays—a practice that has proven to be extremely dangerous. I also suffered from acne, and beauty therapists advised me to use sunbeds for clearer skin. I wore inadequate sun protection, believing I was safe.
This reckless exposure nearly cost me my life. My melanoma was just about to invade deeper into my skin on my left breast, threatening my vital organs and lymph nodes. I underwent two surgeries to remove the cancer, and I was lucky to survive. But my battle didn’t end there. Over the next two years, I faced multiple tumours, including a 3.3cm suspected follicular cancer in my throat which had to be removed by Dr. Paul Lennon (Dublin) who specialises in Throat & Neck Cancers, he had to remove half my Thyroid in the process to ensure he got all the tumour. Some months later I discovered a 3cm tumour in my left forearm which was suspected as a rare soft tissue tumour called liposarcoma. Thanks to the skill of Ireland’s top surgeons, I am now cancer-free and in very good health.
My story is a stark warning: Melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers, and its incidence is rising rapidly in Ireland. Yet, despite the clear links between sunbed use and skin cancer, Ireland remains one of the few European countries still allowing the indoor tanning industry to operate freely. Countries like Australia and Brazil have already banned sunbeds—so why is Ireland still lagging behind?
The evidence is irrefutable. Sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. They are a public health hazard, yet they continue to be promoted and accessible. It’s time for Ireland’s government to take decisive action. We need a comprehensive ban on sunbeds to protect our citizens—especially our children and teenagers—from preventable cancer.
Every day we delay, more lives are at risk. Melanoma can spread rapidly and is often deadly if not caught early. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and future generations to act now. Banning sunbeds would save thousands of lives and prevent millions in healthcare costs. The fact is there are new sunbed salons popping up every week in Ireland and anybody can walk in off the side of the street and use them for as long as they want, because they are not policing them. There are mothers taking their young kids into the salons to wait for them in the waiting areas while they tan themselves exposing their babies and young kids to the deadly UVA & UVB that travels from sunbeds.
Our government must prioritise public health over industry profits. Ireland was able to bring in legislation to be the first country in Europe to bring in the smoking ban, our government can legislate when they want to so why are they hiding behind Europe now and waiting for them to make a move? Australia and Canada made the right decision years ago—what is Ireland waiting for? We demand answers and immediate action for a full ban on the use of commerical sunbeds in Ireland or at the very least stronger policing and rules and regulations with them.
I am calling on every Irish citizen to stand with me. Sign the petition. Demand a ban on sunbeds. Let’s make Ireland a safer place—free from the preventable dangers of indoor tanning.
Together, we can save lives. It’s time for change. It’s time for Ireland to ban sunbeds.
I want to share my story—one that highlights a preventable tragedy. I was diagnosed with Stage 1b Melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, after years of using sunbeds and exposing my skin to ultraviolet radiation. In my youth, I was encouraged to use sunbeds to get a “base tan” before holidays—a practice that has proven to be extremely dangerous. I also suffered from acne, and beauty therapists advised me to use sunbeds for clearer skin. I wore inadequate sun protection, believing I was safe.
This reckless exposure nearly cost me my life. My melanoma was just about to invade deeper into my skin on my left breast, threatening my vital organs and lymph nodes. I underwent two surgeries to remove the cancer, and I was lucky to survive. But my battle didn’t end there. Over the next two years, I faced multiple tumours, including a 3.3cm suspected follicular cancer in my throat which had to be removed by Dr. Paul Lennon (Dublin) who specialises in Throat & Neck Cancers, he had to remove half my Thyroid in the process to ensure he got all the tumour. Some months later I discovered a 3cm tumour in my left forearm which was suspected as a rare soft tissue tumour called liposarcoma. Thanks to the skill of Ireland’s top surgeons, I am now cancer-free and in very good health.
My story is a stark warning: Melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers, and its incidence is rising rapidly in Ireland. Yet, despite the clear links between sunbed use and skin cancer, Ireland remains one of the few European countries still allowing the indoor tanning industry to operate freely. Countries like Australia and Brazil have already banned sunbeds—so why is Ireland still lagging behind?
The evidence is irrefutable. Sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. They are a public health hazard, yet they continue to be promoted and accessible. It’s time for Ireland’s government to take decisive action. We need a comprehensive ban on sunbeds to protect our citizens—especially our children and teenagers—from preventable cancer.
Every day we delay, more lives are at risk. Melanoma can spread rapidly and is often deadly if not caught early. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and future generations to act now. Banning sunbeds would save thousands of lives and prevent millions in healthcare costs. The fact is there are new sunbed salons popping up every week in Ireland and anybody can walk in off the side of the street and use them for as long as they want, because they are not policing them. There are mothers taking their young kids into the salons to wait for them in the waiting areas while they tan themselves exposing their babies and young kids to the deadly UVA & UVB that travels from sunbeds.
Our government must prioritise public health over industry profits. Ireland was able to bring in legislation to be the first country in Europe to bring in the smoking ban, our government can legislate when they want to so why are they hiding behind Europe now and waiting for them to make a move? Australia and Canada made the right decision years ago—what is Ireland waiting for? We demand answers and immediate action for a full ban on the use of commerical sunbeds in Ireland or at the very least stronger policing and rules and regulations with them.
I am calling on every Irish citizen to stand with me. Sign the petition. Demand a ban on sunbeds. Let’s make Ireland a safer place—free from the preventable dangers of indoor tanning.
Together, we can save lives. It’s time for change. It’s time for Ireland to ban sunbeds.
How it will be delivered
I will present this petition to Dáil Éireann Health Committee within Dáil Éireann to get this matter raised through parliamentary questions.
UPDATE: The Minister has answered the questions raised to him in Dáil Éireann and has agreed that more needs to be done in Ireland about the dangers of sunbeds. See link where I am mentioned for being part of leading this campaign: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-18/9/