New Tasmanian laws ban tattoos, intimate piercings on under 18s
It will soon be illegal to perform tattoos, body modifications or intimate piercings on someone under 18 years of age in Tasmania.
The new offences are part of the amended Police Offences Act, which will come into effect on December 19.
Tattoos, body modifications including earlobe stretching and tongue splitting, as well as intimate piercings on those under 18 will be illegal.
The maximum penalty is a $14,000 fine or a year in jail.
It now brings Tasmania into line with the rest of Australia.
Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Cowling said the new offences were designed to protect the welfare of young people.
"Those sort of permanent decisions should only be made by adults and not youth," he said.
"As we know if you make a tattoo or intimate piercing they're there for life, they're not for a short period and the decision should be made by adults."
The amended act will also allow police to deal with a range of street offences, like disorderly conduct and offensive language, with a penalty infringement notice, rather than an arrest.
The maximum penalty for assaults on police has also increased from one year to three years' jail.
