AU Teenagers to be banned from solariums

[Ezliving_Jim]

Teenagers to be banned from solariums

Victoria Owens

Teenagers will be banned from using tanning salons, because of the increased risk of developing cancer.

Recent studies show people under the age of 35 who use solariums have a 98 per cent chance of developing melanoma.

Cancer Minister Verity Firth says the new laws will also include better training for operators and no unsupervised machines.

“It’s well underway, and the plan for the new laws which include a tough new law banning under 18-year-olds from tanning in salons will be due in the first half of this year.”

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[Ezliving_Jim]

ABC NEWS

Under-18 solarium ban expected

Work has begun on a set of national regulations for the solarium and tanning industry that are expected to include a ban on under 18s in solariums and compulsory health warnings.

The New South Wales Government says the national standards are necessary because health warnings about the risks of tanning are not getting through.

NSW Assistant Health Minister Verity Firth says the legislation is already being drafted.

"The National Radiation Health Committee has made its recommendations," she said.

"They're required to draw up a regulatory impact statement and there will be a six-week period of consultation.

"Then there will be recommendations to the nation's health ministers, so all the state's and the national Health Minister will get together for these tough new regulations."

Ms Firth says current education campaigns often do not work.

"Surveys of school students showed us that 79 per cent of school students surveyed said they wanted a tan and that burning was a good way to get one,' she said.

"Despite our education campaigns, despite the fact that the education campaigns are often very graphic in their nature, it's sometimes hard to get that message through and that's why we need regulation."

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