Illegal solariums fuel call for total ban on ‘dangerous machines’

Dozens of illegal solariums are being advertised on social media across the country, increasing pressure for the tanning machines to be banned in private settings.

One woman who lives in Melbourne’s northern suburbs is selling tanning sessions for $25 each, while another in Sydney’s western suburbs is spruiking a sunbed that can be hired from 10 am until late.

Australian Skin Cancer Foundation founder Jay Allen would like to see a ban on the sale of sunbeds for private use. Credit: Anna Kucera

It comes as Victorian authorities confirmed they had recently seized five illegal sunbeds and issued charges as part of large operation. The alleged offenders will appear in court next month.

Commercial solariums were banned eight years ago across Australia, but it is not illegal to own the machines for personal use.

“People appear to be buying them for their personal use, but they’re then being used in a commercial capacity,” Melanoma Institute Australia chief executive Matthew Browne said.

“We would support legislation that ultimately banned it for personal use as well given our knowledge of the severe health impacts that it can have, particularly if you’re young.”

Jay Allen, founder of the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation, receives weekly reports of illegal solariums from the public that he refers to authorities across Australia.

He’d like to see a ban on the sale of the machines for personal use.

“It is getting out of control and it would be good if state governments could step in,” he said. “It is about time we put a stop to these dangerous machines.”

A screenshot of one of the many illegal solariums being advertised.

This masthead came across more than 20 illegal solariums advertised on social media in Melbourne and Sydney. Many of the ads had photos of sunbeds in rooms fitted out with couches, candles, rugs and plants.

“DM for bookings,” one ad reads. Many operators are throwing in free tanning oil and accelerator.

Allen had his own brush with death 15 years ago when he was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, given a 50 per cent chance of survival. His surgeon linked his cancer to his frequent use of solariums during his early 20s. Allen estimates he used commercial machines up to 70 times.

The ban on commercial indoor tanning has prevented about 31,000 melanomas and more than 468,000 other skin cancers among young Australians, research published in 2020 suggests.

Melbourne woman Clare Oliver, who died aged 26 in 2007 after being diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma following years of solarium use, led a campaign to ban tanning machines.

Dozens of people are spruiking illegal solariums on social media.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre oncologist Professor Grant McArthur, who treated Oliver, said bans on commercial solariums had been highly successful and these should be extended to machines sold for personal use.

“Clare would be concerned that people are still using solariums,” he said.

McArthur said there was no safe use of a solarium outside a dermatology practice, where ultraviolet therapies were sometimes used for skin disorders, under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Simon Paz, the manager of solarium retailer Sunbeds Australia, said every sunbed he sold carried a sticker warning consumers that they were only for personal use and commercial use would void their warranty.

“What people do with them is completely out of our control,” he said.

Paz said many customers were using the machines to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea and that banning their sale would make people sick.

“I think that would make a lot of people unwell that obviously do need these machines and people that have got vitamin D deficiency.”

Emma Glassenbury, head of SunSmart at Cancer Council Victoria, said home solariums exposed people to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, significantly increasing their risk of skin cancer.

“No tan is a safe tan,” she said.

Dr Stuart Henderson from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the nation’s radiation watchdog, said people should steer clear of solariums.

“Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers,” he said. “Yet, melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia.”

Since Victoria’s 2015 ban on commercial solariums, 20 people and one company have been prosecuted for operating illegal tanning machines. They were issued with fines totaling $146,500 and some were placed on good behaviour bonds. Thirty-seven solarium beds have been seized.

In NSW, which outlawed commercial solariums at the end of 2014, the Environment Protection Authority has issued seven advisory letters, three notices and one penalty infringement notice.

A spokeswoman for the NSW EPA said it received an average of 16 reports about alleged illegal solariums each year and welcomed tip-offs. A Victorian government spokesman said authorities would continue to crack down on people operating illegal commercial solariums.

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