Call to crack down on Queensland's solariums

[Editor-in-Chief]

Call to crack down on solariums

Christine Kellett | January 14, 2008 - 12:23PM

Experts are calling on the State Government to crack down on Queensland's "dangerous" solarium industry, after new research revealed the use of tanning beds increased skin cancer risk by 98 per cent for people under 35.

Pressure is mounting on legislators in the Sunshine State to follow Victoria's lead, where laws governing the tanning industry will come into effect next month following the death of anti-solarium campaigner Clare Oliver in September last year.

Describing Ms Oliver as "energetic" and "passionate", Olympic swimmer and sun safety ambassador Brooke Hanson said the 26-year-old skin cancer victim had been her inspiration during the launch of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) study in Brisbane this morning.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency study also found an individual's chance of developing a melanoma - the rarest but deadliest form of skin cancer - increased by 22 per cent if they had used a solarium just once.

The report, which brings together 21 separate investigations into the effects of solarium use, found 1000 deadly melanomas and up to 12,000 other skin cancers could be prevented if tougher industry regulations were introduced.

The study's author, QIMR scientist Dr Louisa Gordon, said the tanning industry in Australia had grown four-fold since 1992.
"The situation is quite concerning," Louisa Gordon said.

"QIMR has estimated the new number of cases of melanoma attributable to indoor tanning devices is in the range of 12-62 per year.

"Given the current burden imposed by skin cancer, future growth in the solarium industry will continue to inflate this human and economic cost in years to come."

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh signalled her willingness to tackle the issue of industry regulation in State Parliament late last year, with the release of a discussion paper.

Chief among her concerns were the use of unsupervised "coin-operated" tanning beds, and teenagers using solariums.

But solarium operators say they are already bracing for legislative change, given the bad press generated by Ms Oliver's death.

Australasian Solarium Association spokesman Patrick Holly said new laws to be introduced in Victoria, including a strict licensing system, massive fines and a ban on anyone under the age of 16, were "draconian" but not unexpected.

"It is in my opinion a knee-jerk reaction," Mr Holly told brisbanetimes.com.au.

"I expect most of the states to bring in a temporary legislation like Victoria.

"Clare Oliver's death was a turning point for the industry."

The QIMR study is being used to promote a new SunWise sun safety campaign funded by Suncorp and aimed at educating Queenslanders about the dangers of UV exposure.

Ms Hanson, a dual Olympic medal winner, and former Brisbane Bronco Shane Webcke have been named as the campaign's high-profile ambassadors.

Ms Hanson said the death of Ms Oliver, a self-confessed solarium user, had come as a shock to many people, and was a tragic reminder that too much sun could be fatal.

"When I heard she had died it took a long time for it to sink in," Ms Hanson said.

"She was a beautiful young woman. No one deserves to go through so much pain and die at such a young age."

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