South Australia to ban sunbeds as ABC reports on tanning black market

Bringing the State in line with the rest of Australia, the South Australian Government has drafted special regulations to ban the commercial use of cosmetic tanning units from 31st December 2014.

The Radiation Protection and Control (Non-Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2013 will ban the supply and use of commercial tanning units in South Australia, and set a maximum fine of $10,000 for the offence of "providing a commercial cosmetic tanning service".

South Australian Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter says the aim is to reduce the incidence of people contracting melanomas in South Australia, stating "the World Health Organisation has classed UV-emitting tanning devices as 'carcinogenic to humans'.

"Solaria emit UVA and UVB radiation, which are both known causes of skin cancer. Solaria emit levels of UV radiation up to three times as strong as the midday sun some even exceed this level and emit UV radiation six times as strong.

"Over-exposure to UV radiation plays a central role in the development of skin cancer, eye conditions, and suppression of the immune system.

"No solarium can provide a safe tan. Research suggests one in six melanomas in Australian young people would be prevented if solaria are shut down.

"I hope South Australians will take notice of today's announcement and they think twice before risking their lives by using tanning devices in the lead up to the ban taking effect."

There are 75 licenced solaria operators in South Australia, with 23 businesses operating the devices.

While Queensland Health is in negotiations to offer licensed solarium operators compensation for the legislation, solarium owners say the figure falls short of the financial losses they will suffer by the illegalisation of the industry.

Under the buy-back scheme, solarium operators will be compensated $5,000 per sun bed surrendered for collection before 14th April 2014.

From that date compensation will gradually decrease to $1,000 per sun bed until 31st December 2014, after which no remuneration will be provided by the Government.

The ABC has reported on Chevron Island Tan owner John Nixon, whose Gold Coast solarium and spray tanning business operates a number of sun beds worth $25,000-45,000 each.

Nixon says the compensation plan is not good enough "to say that we will be given between $1,000-5,000 for the machine ... well it's not just a machine, it's a livelihood.

"It's an income and it's a business that has been developed for 12 years, and it feels like more of a kick in the head."

"Other states have had a long time to plan this. Other states were told a year ago that their ban comes into place next year."

Under the legislation solariums are only banned for commercial use, meaning individuals will be able to purchase their own sun beds, generally online.

Nixon believes that "hardcore tanners" will buy their own units for unregulated private use and adds "(this) defeats the purpose of what the Government wants to do - the hardcore tanners, the people who want to abuse it, they will go out and buy one.

"At the moment those people are forbidden to come into my shop more than once every 48 hours.

"If they've got it in their home, they can go in (for long periods of time, such as) 20 minutes. And they can go in every day."

Nixon says a tanning black market is "not an if, but a given, that's going to happen."

27th October 2013 - WA MINISTER PREDICTS SOLARIUMS SHUT DOWN