Victorians have had their last chance to top up their tans, with the few solariums left across the state banned and made illegal as of January 1.
Emitting ultraviolet radiation for users to achieve and maintain the long sought-after ‘healthy’ glow no matter the time of year, according to research Australians have woken up to the dangers of using sunbeds.
A survey conducted by the Cancer Council involving more than 6,300 Australians revealed that only 1 per cent of adults and less than 1 per cent of adolescents had used a tanning bed in the past year.
The findings also showed great support in favour of banning solariums, with 80 per cent of adults and 70 per cent of adolescents agreeing with the ban.
However, according to Vanessa Rock of the Cancer Council, despite the move to ban solariums across the country, we will see the negative impact of their use well into the future.
“Despite few Australians using solariums these days, we will continue to see the impact decades into the future,” Ms Rock said.
“Any Australian who has used a sunbed should keep a close eye on their skin.”
Ms Rock says anyone that has exposed their skin to the rays of a solarium before the age of 35 is at 59 per cent greater risk of developing melanoma.
For further information visit www.cancer.org.au/