Leslie Massey
Australia has banned commercial solariums due to their associated health risks, particularly the increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma from UV radiation exposure. Despite the ban, some Australians continue to access solariums, prompting concerns about the rise of 'rebranded' solariums and the potential negative health outcomes. While commercial solariums are prohibited, private ownership and personal use remain legal but unregulated in all states and territories. The Cancer Council and dermatology experts emphasize the dangers of UV radiation from solariums and sunbeds, recommending against their use for cosmetic purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Solariums emit UV radiation, which increases the risk of skin cancer and causes premature ageing. |
| Date of ban | 1 January 2015 in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia, where the ban was introduced on 1 January 2016. |
| Exceptions | Commercial solariums are still legal in the Northern Territory, and private ownership and personal use of solariums remain legal in all states and territories. |
| Enforcement | State and territory governments are responsible for enforcing the ban and have implemented compliance and enforcement measures. |
| Public opinion | Some people continue to use solariums despite the health risks, and there are concerns about the rise of "rebranded" solariums. |
| Alternative options | Home tanning beds are a more affordable and accessible option for Australians. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Solariums increase the risk of skin cancer and melanoma
Solariums have been banned in Australia since 2015 due to the associated health risks, particularly the increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma.
The use of solariums, also known as tanning beds or sunbeds, exposes individuals to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While there are two types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB, both can be harmful. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and creates unstable compounds that easily react with cells and molecules, causing damage to cell membranes, protein structures, and DNA. UVB promotes cancer-causing mutations by directly discharging energy into the DNA strand. The combination of UVA and UVB radiation in solariums increases the risk of skin cancer and melanoma.
Research from the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland found that all types of sunbeds, including those using only UVA, increase the risk of melanoma. This is particularly true for individuals who have had multiple solarium visits. Professor Mann, head of the research committee at the Melanoma Institute Australia, used this research to advocate for a sunbed ban across Australia. The research showed that individuals who had more than 10 solarium visits in their lifetime had a seven-times increased risk of developing melanoma.
The dangers of solariums are not limited to commercial settings, as private ownership and personal use of solariums also pose health risks. While commercial solariums have been banned in Australia, the private ownership and use of solariums remain legal and unregulated in all states and territories. However, the Cancer Council and other health organizations do not recommend the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances.
Despite the ban, there is a growing concern over the rise of rebranded solariums, such as collariums, which are marketed as safe alternatives. These devices are often advertised as healthy, but experts emphasize that any device emitting UV radiation for tanning purposes is not safe and can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma.
Australian Dollars to Euro: How Much is it Worth?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Solariums cause premature ageing
Solariums have been banned in Australia since 2015 due to their associated health risks. One of the primary concerns is the risk of skin cancer, but exposure to UV radiation from solariums also causes premature ageing.
Cust from the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland explains that UV radiation causes the body to produce a dark pigment in the skin as a defence mechanism. This is essentially the body's way of protecting itself from damage to the DNA in its cells.
An Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found that 9.4% of people aged 15 and over had attempted to suntan in the previous 12 months. This is concerning because UV radiation exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and causes premature ageing. Young people, in particular, need to understand the risks of intentionally tanning and spending time in the sun, especially in Australia, where the sun is stronger than in most other parts of the world.
The Cancer Council recommends five key sun protection behaviours to prevent premature ageing and other harmful effects of UV radiation:
- Wear covering clothing
- Use sunscreen with at least SPF30
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat or cap with a back flap
- Stay in the shade
- Wear sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin.
It is important to note that the personal ownership and use of solariums in private homes remain legal in Australia. However, organisations like the Cancer Council do not recommend the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances.
Hydroquinone: Banned in Australia, Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Solariums are still being used in Australia despite the ban
Solariums have been banned in Australia since 2015 due to their associated health risks, particularly the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Despite this, some people in Australia continue to use solariums, either in commercial settings or by owning a solarium for personal use.
Commercial solariums were banned in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia from 1 January 2015, with a ban introduced in Western Australia a year later. The Northern Territory is the only state without a commercial solarium ban, although there are no commercial tanning businesses operating there.
The ban makes it illegal for anyone to provide the use of a tanning bed for a fee, but it does not affect personal ownership or use of solariums. While the private ownership and use of solariums remain legal in all states and territories, it is not recommended by Cancer Council Australia, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists. These organizations do not endorse the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances.
Despite the ban and health warnings, some Australians continue to use solariums. This is evidenced by reports of illegal commercial operations, with the biggest penalty issued to a black market operator in Victoria, where a Melbourne business was fined $68,500. There have also been investigations and fines in other states, including New South Wales and Queensland.
In addition to illegal commercial operations, some Australians own solariums for personal use. The private ownership and use of solariums in private homes are currently low, but there are concerns that this could increase. There is also a rise in rebranded" solariums, such as collariums, which are marketed as safe alternatives but are still a public health concern. These devices emit UV radiation, which is known to increase the risk of skin cancer and cause premature aging.
It is important to note that the research is clear that all types of solariums carry a risk of skin cancer and melanoma, and this risk is significantly higher for those who have had multiple solarium visits. The Cancer Council recommends five key sun protection behaviors, including wearing covering clothing, using sunscreen, and staying out of the sun during peak hours, to reduce the risk of UV radiation exposure and its associated health risks.
Australian Possums: Do They Prey on Birds?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Solarium use is still being advertised and marketed
In 2019, it was discovered that online platforms, such as Gumtree, contained dozens of advertisements from South Australia that facilitated the illegal commercial use of solariums. These advertisements came from both potential customers and those offering the service. For example, one user expressed their desire to "'pay cash' for solarium "sessions", while another user indicated their interest in using a solarium with "100% discretion assured".
Additionally, collariums are being marketed as a safe alternative to solariums, but experts refute this claim, emphasizing the health risks associated with UV radiation exposure. Collarium sessions can be found in Queensland, NSW, and Victoria, with prices starting at $25. While not all operators explicitly advertise their services, they may accept bookings over the phone.
The persistence of solarium advertising and marketing in Australia underscores the ongoing challenge of eliminating this public health concern. It is important for individuals to understand the risks associated with intentional tanning and UV radiation exposure, especially considering that skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia. Public health campaigns and initiatives, such as the "Slip! Slop! Slap!" and SunSmart slogans, aim to address this by promoting sun protection and early detection of skin cancer.
Exploring Australia's Founding: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ban has been in place since 2015
The ban on commercial solariums in Australia has been in place since 1 January 2015. The ban was introduced in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia, where it came into effect on 1 January 2016, and the Northern Territory, which has no commercial solariums. The ban makes it illegal to provide a tanning bed for commercial use, but it does not affect the personal ownership or use of solariums.
The ban was implemented due to the associated health risks of solariums, specifically the link to skin cancer and melanoma. Research from the Melanoma Institute Australia found that those who had more than 10 solarium visits in their lifetime had a seven-times increased risk of melanoma. An Australian survey found that 9.4% of people over 15 had attempted to suntan in the past year. Experts recommend against the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes, and warn that all types of sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma.
Despite the ban, there are still reports of illegal commercial solariums operating in Australia. In Victoria, a Melbourne business was fined $68,500, the highest penalty issued to a black-market operator. There have also been 13 investigations in the state, with one individual fined $4,000 for renting out their home solarium. In New South Wales, only one $1,500 fine has been issued, and there have been five investigations in Queensland.
There is concern over the rise of a 'rebrand' of solariums, with collariums being marketed as a safe alternative. However, experts say these devices are a public health concern as they emit UV radiation, which increases the risk of skin cancer.
Sheridan: Australian-Made or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Solariums are banned in Australia because of the associated health risks, particularly the risk of skin cancer and melanoma.
No, the ban only applies to commercial solariums. The private ownership and personal use of solariums remain legal in all states and territories.
The ban on commercial solariums came into effect on 1 January 2015 in all states and territories except Western Australia, where it was introduced a year later, and the Northern Territory, where there are no commercial solariums.
Solariums emit UV radiation, which can cause premature ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Research has found that people who have had more than 10 solarium visits in their life have a seven-times increased risk of melanoma.
Yes, home tanning beds are available for purchase in Australia. These plug into a normal power point and are more affordable than commercial solariums. However, it is important to note that all types of sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma.
