7 November, 2014
Sunbed restriction
The first reading of legislation to make sunbeds banned for use by under 18s was passed unanimously in Parliament last
night and the Cancer Society couldn’t be more delighted!
“We have worked long and hard to highlight that exposure to UVR from sunbed use is not only unnecessary but dangerous,
so we are delighted this first hurdle has been passed,” said Skin Cancer Advisor, Louise Sandford.
Skin cancer is New Zealand’s most common cancer. Every year over 300 New Zealanders die from Melanoma – the most deadly
form. “Tightening up the way sunbed operators work is one step we can take to reduce our high skin cancer rates and
reduce the cost to our health system,” she added.
“In 2015 most states in Australia will ban sunbeds and we hope the Health (Protection) Amendment Bill is the first step,
in banning the beds in New Zealand.”
ENDS