SOLARIUMS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about solariums.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Recently the minister announced to the council plans to introduce tough new regulations for the solarium industry. Will the minister please inform the council of the progress of these tough new regulations?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I am pleased to inform the council that this government's crackdown on irresponsible solarium practices will come into force on Friday 14 March 2008, following today's gazettal of our tough new regulations.

Unfortunately, solarium tans are still perceived by many in the community as a safe and efficient way of achieving a look that is considered by some to be desirable. In fact, the industry in this state has grown rapidly in recent years, with many salons now operating in the state, as well as tanning beds in some fitness centres and beauty salons. While they are popular, unfortunately solarium tans can also be fatal, as brave Victorian campaigner Clare Oliver, who sadly lost her life late last year, tried to tell us all.

With exposure to ultraviolet radiation in a solarium reaching levels of, in some cases, up to five times that of direct sunlight, not only do operators need to be better educated about the potential danger of the machines they operate, but also the industry needs to be regulated and consumers made aware of the risks of their role in causing deadly skin cancers.

Given the potential danger consumers face from these sun beds, I was not satisfied that the industry had, until now, been governed by a voluntary code of conduct. I certainly was not satisfied with those arrangements, nor was I satisfied that those in the industry were adequately educated on the potential side effects of the machines they were operating. For this reason, I chose to act.

This government is making the previously voluntary code of conduct for the solarium industry mandatory and going even further. It is to be enforced by the Environment Protection Authority through tough penalties for those in the industry who continue to put consumers' health at risk. Those who choose to flout these new regulations face tough fines. These are proof that these laws are a deterrent to rogue operators and were adopted in the interests of saving lives.

In addition to these tough penalties, we are also introducing a set of practical guidelines to safeguard consumers and the industry, including the following: raising the minimum age for solarium clients from 15 to 18; displaying health warnings that solariums can cause skin cancer; prohibiting the use of solariums for people with fair skin; mandatory training for sun bed operators, including skin type assessments; and ensuring that clients are supervised by a trained operator.

In addition to this, people seeking a solarium tan need to give informed consent before submitting to the treatment, and there will be limitations on the frequency with which a customer can visit a solarium. These laws are about creating a better industry and, through TAFE, we are working with the solarium industry to develop appropriate training courses for operators which will be implemented along with a licensing system over the next 12 months. The new regulations will be reviewed after 12 months to ensure that they comply with a proposed national standard.

Melanoma kills at least 79 South Australians each year, with the likelihood of developing the disease increasing by a staggering 75 per cent in people under the age of 35 who use solariums. For this reason—saving lives—this government has chosen to act, and I welcome the new regulations and look forward to working closely with the solarium industry to bring about a safer tanning service.