The Green Party is calling on the Government to regulate the sunbed industry, following a Consumer New Zealand survey that found the industry is not implementing their voluntary code, putting thousands of New Zealanders a year at increased risk of melanoma.
Investigations by the Cancer Society and Consumer NZ found the risks associated with sunbed use were not being explained to customers and that under 18-year-olds were being allowed to use sunbeds. This is the latest of many surveys that have found the voluntary code is not being adhered to by industry.
"There can be no excuse for inaction now we know operators are not sticking to their own code." Green MP Sue Kedgley said.
"New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world. If the Government is serious about reducing this extremely serious public health problem, we must introduce a legally enforceable standard for the use of sun beds, including health warnings.
"We know from repeated surveys and anecdotal evidence that young girls are using them on a regular basis, and many are oblivious to the risks they are placing themselves under.
Ms Kedgley said that the level of UV rays that people are exposed to on a sunbed is five times stronger than the midday sun.
"Some believe that sunbeds provide a safe way of getting tanned — a perception fuelled by some in the industry," Ms Kedgley said.
LINKS
Consumer NZ survey
http://www.consumer.org.nz/news/view/time-to-license-sunbed-industry
NZ Cancer Society Survey
http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=61960
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