Cancer Society wants laws to follow new tanning rules

The Cancer Society has welcomed moves by Standards New Zealand to introduce tougher operating guidelines for tanning clinics, but says without legislation some operators will ignore the new rules.

The updated standard for solariums restricts operators from advertising their tanning facilities as safe or healthy and bans their use by children under the age of 15.

The standard also says people with fair skin which always burns and never tans should not use solaria.

Cancer Society spokeswoman Liz Price today welcomed the updated standard but warned it was voluntary and some operators might not implement it.

She called on the Government to introduce legislation to ensure all tanning clinics complied with operational guidelines contained in the Standard.

"Without proper regulation, the industry has put many unsuspecting New Zealanders at greater risk of skin injury", she said in a statement.

"As a result of some solariums using misleading marketing tactics, many customers believe solarium tanning is safe, especially if only used in moderation."

Dermatologist Marius Rademaker said all tanning, however controlled, poses a health risk.

"Solariums use ultraviolet light, and all forms of UV light contribute to skin cancer. Sunbeds can emit ultraviolet radiation up to five times as strong as the midday sun," he said.

Dr Rademaker said the new standard meant customers using solariums could now at least obtain information to help them decide whether it was worth the risk.

A recent informal Cancer Society survey found eight of 16 solarium operators said sunbeds were "a safe way to tan".

Safety information wasn't available in most salons, and only two salons alluded to the aging effects of sunbed use. Only one operator indicated that a client's family history of skin cancer was important.

- NZPA