[Greens-Media] Iemma breaks his promise to clear up solarium industry

[Susie Gemmell]

Media Release 
8 April 2008
 
Iemma breaks his promise to clear up solarium industry
 
NSW Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the
NSW government to tighten up solarium industry rules following this
week’s decision of the WA government to join Victoria and South
Australia in ending self-regulation.
 
“The Iemma government must act now to introduce a legally enforceable
standard for the solarium industry in NSW,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“When Premier Iemma was Health Minister in 2003 he promised to closely
monitor the solarium industry’s compliance with its voluntary
standards.
 
“Mr Iemma said he would regulate the industry under the NSW Public
Health Act if young people continued to access solariums. Four years on
there is no evidence that the solarium industry has cleaned up its act.

 
“The NSW Minister for Health should prohibit solarium use by people
under 18, as has occurred in France. Research shows that people under 35
years who use solariums increase their melanoma risk by up to 75
percent. 
 
“These regulations need to be in place before the next summer season.
The tragic death of Clare Oliver, a frequent solarium user, from
melanoma should have prompted the Premier to act long ago. 
 
“NSW should also follow the lead of Sweden, Belgium and France which
have legislation limiting the maximum proportion of UV-B exposure.
 
“Solariums should be required to display health warnings so people are
well aware of the risks.
 
“Solarium marketing strategies should be restricted to crack down on
practices such as offering unlimited solarium sessions for a fixed
price. 
 
“Self regulation is always a dodgy option when it comes to potentially
dangerous industries like solariums. The level of UV rays that people
are exposed to in solariums is up to five times stronger than the midday
summer sun.
 
”Properly regulating solariums in NSW is an important step in the
battle against skin cancer,” Ms Rhiannon said. 
 

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
 
 
--------------------------------------------------
Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon-Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0431 458 102
Email susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au