Cancer Society reiterates sunbed dangers

The Cancer Society says the message that "sunbeds are not cool" has been slow to get through, especially to teenage girls.

The SunSmart partnership of the Health Sponsorship Council and the Cancer Society reminds people it's not just the sun that can cause damage leading to skin cancers.

SunSmart spokeswoman Wendy Billingsley said the results of a recent Consumers' Institute survey on the practices of New Zealand sunbed operators horrified, but did not surprise, the Cancer Society.

Of 30 sunbed outlets visited by the institute, only two met all the requirements specified in the voluntary solarium standard.

"Those who are at the highest risk of skin cancer later in life are people who have fair skin which always burns and never tans and those under the age of 15 who have received large doses of ultraviolet radiation."

The society has renewed calls for a compulsory standard to warn people of the risks.

"We recommend those under the age of 15 be banned from solariums," Ms Billingsley said, "and those aged 15 to 18 use a solarium only with parental consent."

- NZPA