Cancer-causing illegal backyard solarium businesses put on notice

More than 100 social media accounts offering illegal solarium services across Melbourne have been put on notice as they continue to flout the law.

At least 100 social media accounts promoting dangerous illegal solariums across Melbourne have been put on notice as shoddy backyard businesses continue to flout the law despite facing hefty fines.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal illegal solarium businesses are continuing to operate in suburbs including Dandenong, Oakleigh and Brunswick.

More than 50 solarium operators were found to be active in these suburbs, charging as little as $25 per session.

Most of these illegal enterprises were previously referred to the Department of Health amid a three-month investigation by this masthead last year.

Fines issued as part of previous prosecutions have totalled $146,500, while a further $122,856 has been awarded in costs to the department.

A Department of Health spokesperson confirmed regulatory compliance activity at a number of premises was underway, with 100 social media accounts being actively monitored.

An illegal solarium found secretly running out the back of a supplements store in Clayton. Source: Supplied

It is not illegal to own a tanning bed for personal use, but dodgy owners are continuing to exploit this loophole.

One business owner, who was advertising their services on social media, said: “Canopy available for use. Price $25 for one hour session. DM for more info.”

Another owner, based in Epping, wrote on Instagram: “DM for a weekend booking”.

Some Instagram posts even encourage solarium operators to “share their solarium locations”.

“Got a solarium to share? Drop us a line below. We have so many people searching for soli sessions all over Australia,” an Instagram post said.

Head of SunSmart Victoria Emma Glassenbury said SunSmart and Cancer Council Victoria were deeply concerned by the ongoing promotion of illegal solariums and the impact on people’s health, including the increased risk it posed to skin cancer.

“We often hear very little effort is made by illegal operators to provide safety information as the health of the solarium user is not their priority and instead will focus on profits,” Ms Glassenbury said.

“A systematic review showed that people who use a solarium before the age of 35 have a 59 per cent greater risk of melanoma than those who do not use solariums.

“There is a 20 per cent risk increase in melanoma regardless of age of first use of a solarium.”

Investigators from the Department of Health raiding a Croydon property suspected of running an illegal solarium. Picture: Mark Stewart

Priscilla Oliver with a picture of her daugher Clare, who died from skin cancer caused by years of solarium use.

A Department of Health spokesperson added: “We have taken a strong stance on solariums since they were banned, seizing, and destroying many beds across the state. We won’t hesitate to act where needed to protect the public health of Victorians.”

“Successful prosecutions for illegal solarium cases can often take up to 12 months due to their complexity – however, we are continuing to crack down on any individual putting lives at risk by commercially operating these dangerous machines,” they said.

Melbourne woman Clare Oliver, died aged 26 in 2007 after she was diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma following years of solarium use.

Ms Oliver used a solarium more than 20 times when she was aged in her early 20s.

She spent the final weeks leading a campaign to ban tanning machines.

The Department refused to comment on how many illegal solariums they had prosecuted within the past year.

The Department has seized 37 beds since 2016.

Of those, 11 people were fined, four people and one company were convicted, three people were placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, another person was convicted and placed on a court order and another was placed on a diversion order.