Government Urged To Introduce Sunbed Controls

26 June 2009, 4:25PM
Femme

It’s mid winter and if you are thinking about going to a solarium for a tan – don’t! This advice comes from the Cancer Society which believes the risks are too great, especially if you are under 35 or have fair skin! Solaria, or sunbeds, significantly increase your risk of melanoma, especially if you start using them in your teens or twenties.
 

Last week the German parliament passed a law banning anyone under the age of 18 from going to solariums because of the risks of developing skin cancer. In the same week the UK Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment advised Governments to: ban sunbed use by those under 18, require all sunbed operators and staff to be licenced and issue strict regulations governing the standard of equipment. They also recommended that sunbeds should have to carry "cigarette-style" health warnings, given their potential to cause suffering, early death and potential disfigurement from skin cancer surgery.

Closer to home NSW recently joined the States of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland in banning people under 18 and those who burn easily from using commercial tanning facilities. Other controls include requirements to provide clients with accurate information about the health risks associated with sunbeds and greater supervision by operators.

Dr Judith Galtry, the Cancer Society’s Skin Cancer Advisor, says “these moves are part of an international trend towards prohibiting the use of sunbeds by young people and those who burn easily. We know these individuals are at greater risk. The World Health Organisation’s Agency for Research on Cancer determined a 75 percent increased risk of melanoma for people who first used a sunbed before the age of 35. Australian evidence goes further suggesting that using a sunbed under the age of 35 increases the risk by 98 percent and that restricting sunbed use has a demonstrable impact in preventing avoidable skin cancers and in cost-savings to government.”

In New Zealand there is only a voluntary guideline standard for solaria operators which prohibits the use of sunbeds by individuals younger than 18 years and individuals with fair skin. Dr Galtry says “it is of concern that the New Zealand government appears less concerned that
its Australian and European counterparts, despite our far higher melanoma rates. Industry self-regulation is clearly not working in New Zealand, as shown by consumer surveys in 2005 and 2006. Therefore, the Cancer Society is strengthening its call for Government controls on the solaria industry in New Zealand through requiring premises to become licensed and prohibiting people under 18 years and those with fair skin from using them.”

Dermatologist Professor Marius Rademaker says “sunbed use adds to the burden of the skin cancer we see every day and directly contributes to premature ageing of the skin.”
 

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