The war on tanning beds gained further momentum this week as New York Magazine’s fashion blog The Cut cited an article in the New York Daily News reporting on recent legislation Doctors urge states to follow NSW solarium ban.
The article reports, The country’s most populous state New South Wales has taken the strongest line so far” with the state government making tanning beds illegal within three years. Alongside quotes from cancer victim and former tanning bed-user Jay Allen, the article features the opinion of Sydney salon-owner Robyn Sweeney, who doesn’t believe that a few minutes in a sunbed could be harmful if it’s used correctly.
I’m not a user of sunbeds, and therefore welcomed the recent ban as enough evidence exists for me to believe that they are directly related to this country’s high instance of skin cancer. However, this coverage got me thinking about the people on the other side of the tanning bed debate – those that don’t share my opinion on the matter.
Salon owners will no doubt feel the ramifications of the ban, especially those that have invested large amounts of money in state-of-the-art solariums. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there are about 100 businesses with 254 commercial tanning units registered in NSW, and about 10 per cent offer UV tanning exclusively. Environment minister Robyn Parker says that group of businesses would be offered help through the department of Trade and Investment’s business advisory services.
I think the ban is a good move by the state government, and hope others follow suit. However I do think the NSW government has taken a rather firm stance on the matter. Could a compromise have been reached to provide further regulations on solarium use, or is there really no such thing as a healthy tan?”
We’re keen to hear your thoughts on the matter, so please post them below.