Coming sunbed restrictions prompts calls for New Zealand ban

With new legislation set to ban the use of commercial sunbeds by under 18s in New Zealand from 1st January 2017, consumer and health groups are calling for a complete ban on solariums.

A Bill amending the Health Act 1956 to prohibit use of commercial sunbeds by under-18s was agreed at the end of June, with New Zealand Health Minister Jonathan Coleman saying that the law change would allow the Ministry of Health to look at possible licensing and mandatory standards for sunbed salons.

Dr Coleman explained “this legislation seeks to protect this vulnerable group while balancing the rights of informed adults.

"There is strong evidence that people who use sunbeds increase their risk of melanoma and other more common skin cancers. There is also evidence that children and adolescents are more sensitive to UV."

With New Zealand having one of the world’s highest rates of skin cancer (skin cancer kills 300 people in New Zealand every year), Melanoma New Zealand says the risk of melanoma increases by 75% if people use solariums before the age of 35.

The body, along with Consumer New Zealand has called for a total ban on sunbeds.

Earlier this year, Consumer NZ found 45% of commercial sunbed operators failed to implement basic safety checks after an undercover investigation.

New Zealand’s voluntary sunbed safety standard recommends operators carry out a skin assessment on clients, have consent forms and warning notices, ensure users have eye protection and provide information on follow-up sessions.

It also recommends that people with fair skin that burns readily or never tans should not use a sunbed.

However, Consumer NZ's investigation found only eight of 16 operators turned its fair-skinned shoppers away.

Despite having warning that notices under 18s should not use a sunbed, three operators allowed 15- or 16-year-old shoppers to have a session.

Consumer NZ believes that the new legislation does not go far enough, and has reiterated its call for sunbeds to be banned because of what it called continuing poor practices in the industry.

This would bring New Zealand in line with most Australian states, and Brazil, where commerical sunbeds are banned.

For more information on the campaign to ban commercial sunbeds in New Zealand go to www.sunbedban.com/sunbedban-in-new-zealand/

Click here for information on sunbed regulations in New Zealand.

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