Sun beds switched off in SA as commercial ban comes into effect
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will monitor businesses that previously offered solarium services to ensure none breach a ban on tanning beds in South Australia.
The ban comes into effect in the new year and was announced in 2012 based on evidence the UV machines increase the risk of skin cancer.
The Cancer Council said about 200 cases of melanoma and squamous-cell carncinomas would be prevented each year in South Australia.
Around 30 licensed solarium operators have been put out of business as a result of the ban.
The EPA's Keith Baldry said tanning bed operators have had ample warning.
"The evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of skin cancer of about 35 per cent for those that use solaria so we would be hoping over time to see a reduction in skin cancer rates as a result," he said.
The Cancer Council's state chief executive, Brenda Wilson, said the move would save lives and the rate of melanomas would be reduced, especially in young people.
"It's estimated that one in six melanomas in young people, aged between 18 and 29, could be prevented and will be prevented now that solariums are no longer available for use," she said.
Ms Wilson said attitudes to tanning were slowly changing.
"People are much more comfortable with the colour of their skin... although, walking along the beach at Goolwa and Port Elliot, I am disheartened to see so many young people lying on the beach still trying to get a sun tan," she added.
Bans on sun beds will also come into effect in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria but Western Australia and Tasmania are yet to enforce similar proposals.
The Cancer Council is pushing for the changes to be extended to stop people using the beds in their homes.
Calls by some solarium operators for a bed buyback scheme were rejected by the South Australian Government.
