CHILDREN under 18 have been banned from using commercial sunbeds in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand is expected to follow suit.
THE new council bylaw came into force on Auckland on Tuesday as authorities worry about melanoma on immature skin.
Cancer Society of Auckland chief executive John Loof says the council should be congratulated for the ban on commercial sunbed use for children under 18. “Sunbeds have been shown to increase the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer and regulating and restricting their use is a great step forward,” Mr Loof said. Megasun sunbeds owner Mark Birmingham agreed with the changes, saying his business didn’t allow under 18s to use sunbeds. “The risks for under 18s just concerns us, because their skin hasn’t developed fully at that stage,” he said. “The safer the industry, the better it is for everybody.” The Government last year announced it would be introducing a similar ban across the country. A spokeswoman for Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says legislation is still being drafted. The new bylaw also requires the licensing of all commercial services which risk breaking, burning or piercing, such as tattooing, body piercing, hair removal and nail services. Originally published as Auckland kids banned from sunbeds