[Greens-Media] Greens join campaigners calling for ban on sun beds

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, Melanoma Patients Australia and Jay Allen Ban Sun Beds campaigner - 11 May 2010

Greens join campaigners calling for ban on sun beds

NSW Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Keneally to protect the health of young people in NSW by banning sunbeds in NSW because of the unacceptable risk of melanoma and the failure of operators to meet existing standards. A Greens motion will be debated in Parliament today ('Greens push to outlaw unsafe solariums', SMH, page 4 today: http://tiny.cc/y7hl9).

Ms Rhiannon today joined with melanoma survivor, no sunbeds campaigner and young father Jay Allen and the CEO of Melanoma Patients Aust Lisa McFadyen to seek the ban. Mr Allen and Ms McFadyen are meeting with Minister for Health (Cancer) Frank Sartor's office to discuss the issue later today.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said: "It makes no sense for the NSW government to continue to allow this industry to ply its trade, considering the unacceptably high risk of skin cancer and melanoma it presents.

"It's clear that the bid to clean up solarium businesses has failed.  A recent audit by the Department of Environment and Climate Change found high rates of non-compliance, with at least 1 in 3 operators or nearly 40 percent of businesses, acting illegally.

"Cancer Council research shows around 43 deaths in Australia a year from melanoma can be attributed to sun beds. 

"Asking an industry to abide by regulations and act in a way that will ultimately reduce its profits is always going to be problematic," Ms Rhiannon said.

Lisa McFadyen CEO Melanoma Patients Australia said, "Some may argue that it is people's choice to use solariums, but when you develop metastatic melanoma your choice is taken away.

"Skin cancer is not just skin deep or an old person's disease. Young people are big users of sun beds and skin cancer is the most common cancer of 15 to 44 year olds.

"Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence in the world and the World Health Organisation has elevated sunbeds to the highest cancer risk category. This in itself justifies a ban," Ms McFadyen said.

Jay Allen, melanoma survivor, no sunbeds campaigner and father of three said, "Premier Kristina Keneally needs to do the right thing and get behind this ban.

"I have been on a scary journey and I do not want anyone else to suffer what my family and I have to endure every time my three monthly check ups come around.

"Clare Oliver died seeking an end to sun bed use. 

"What's clear is that it is never worth dying for a tan," Ms Allen said.

For information: 
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Jay Allen - 0430 933 012
Lisa McFadyen CEO Melanoma Patients Australia 0433 300 906 



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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email   lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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