Tanning beds on the way out?

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Monday, February 20, 2012

Have you ever used a tanning bed? I remember getting burned on one many years ago and since then, I've kept away from them and sunbathing in general.

Almost 70 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed recently, think tanning beds should be banned and more than 80 per cent believe they are dangerous.

NZ health officials are aiming for a ban here, after the announcement that they would be banned from 2014 in New South Wales. Other Australian states are expected to follow.

Brazil is so far, the only other country to have banned sunbeds.

New Zealand's voluntary standard for operators includes ensuring all sunbeds are supervised and not allowing people under 18 or with the fair skin types, to use them.

Last year, Consumer sent 66 people to sunbed outlets in 12 locations and only 12 of the 66 operators met all of the requirements.

A group which includes MelNet and the Melanoma Foundation, has been formed and hopes a private members bill could be put forward this year.

New Zealand has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world .