Greens secure solarium ban

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the passage of their amended motion for a state phase out of ultra-violet sunbeds by 2014.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that the Greens had agreed to accept a Labor Party amendment to allow for the use of sunbeds for medical purposes only.

“This is an essential preventative health measure to reduce the incidence of skin cancer and melanoma, and the associated costs to the health system,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“This Greens initiative now means Tasmania is poised to join New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria to bring in the necessary legislation to implement this commitment and have it in place by the end of 2014.”

“We hope that the Upper House sees the merits of this proposal, given the clear evidence of a link between the use of tanning salons and deadly skin cancers.”

“Tanning beds are categorised as a grade one carcinogen by the International Agency for Research in Cancer, which is the same rating given to asbestos.”

“The World Health Organisation states that only in very rare and specific cases should the medically-supervised use of sunbeds be considered.”

“Conditions such as vitamin D deficiency can safely be treated through other safer means and for this reason, the Australian College of Dermatologists, the Cancer Council and World Health organisation advise against solarium use for treatment of this condition.”

“The Greens were prepared to accept the Labor Party’s amendment to ensure passage of the bill, and to ensuring that nobody is medically worse off as a result of a total solarium ban.”