Latest news with #TanOrganic
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘SPF is not a luxury item like lipstick, it saves lives' – TanOrganic founder Noelle O'Connor hits out at Vat on sunscreen
This week, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said it was not possible to remove sunscreen from the highest Vat rate. Responding to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, Mr Donohoe said there was 'no discretion' under the EU Vat directive for Ireland to apply a reduced rate to SPF products. 'Sunscreens and sun-protection factor are not included in the categories of goods and services to which the EU Vat directive allows a lower rate to be applied,' he said. But Ms O'Connor said these sunscreen products are 'lifesaving' and should be designated in the same category as medication. That would allow a zero Vat rate to be applied to them. Ms O'Connor is calling for urgent EU action to have this change implemented. 'It should be similar to Nurofen, in that it can be bought over-the-counter and without a prescription,' she said. 'SPF is not a luxury cosmetic. It's not the same as a lipstick. It is an essential item and needs to be re-classified as such.' With temperatures soaring close to 30C this weekend, Ireland is in for some Mediterranean-style weather over the coming days. There are more than 11,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland annually, and this figure is expected to double by 2040. The most common form of cancer in the country, about 270 skin cancer-related deaths are recorded annually. Ms O'Connor, the founder of TanOrganic, launched her campaign to have SPF products deemed essential items in May. The Dragons Den star has joined forces with the Mater Hospital's skin cancer clinical nurse specialist Kelsey O'Donnell and melanoma specialist Shirley Potter. Ms O'Connor said both medics have witnessed the 'devastating impact' of skin cancer on families across the country. She has gathered over 2,500 signatures on an Uplift campaign as part of this initiative. 'I've got a load of doctors behind me. I'm really passionate about this. We've worked with dermatologists and worked with the Mater Hospital. They all feel it's an essential product,' she said.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Government urged to make SPF products exempt from tax
The Government is being urged to make SPF products exempt from tax, as Ireland has the highest incidence rate of skin cancer in Europe. According to the Irish Cancer Society, there are almost 12,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Ireland every year, with nine out of 10 being caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from the sun or sunbeds. Under VAT law, sunscreen products are not exempt from the standard rate of VAT, which is currently 23 per cent. Fake tanning brand TanOrganic has launched an online petition calling for SPF products to be tax-free. In a recent survey, it found that 54 per cent of respondents said they considered SPF too expensive and 60 per cent said cost influences their purchasing decisions. TanOrganic owner Noelle O'Connor said: "I believe no SPF products should be classed as an essential product and should be VAT exempt. "At the moment, Renal transport patients are the only cohort that can get SPF on a medical card, so the removal of VAT on SPF would be a major step for the Government to take in encouraging the use of SPF in our country." Kelsey O'Donnell, a skin cancer specialist nurse in the Mater Hospital Dublin, said despite skin cancer being one of the most preventable cancers, it's still one of the most common. She added: "I see the physical impact and the emotional toll it can take on patients and their loved ones every day. "90 per cent of skin cancers are caused by UV emitted sources, even if you only spend a few minutes in the sun without protection, you're still at risk. I cannot stress enough the importance of skin safety measures using a quality SPF (50) every day regardless of cloud or sun. "SPF is not a luxury and should be affordable for everyone. I urge everyone to sign the petition to call upon the government to remove VAT on SPF."
