South Aussies’ damaging attitudes towards suntanning, 10 years on from solarium ban

This summer marks 10 years since commercial solariums were banned in Australia, reducing skin cancer rates and saving hundreds of lives.

However, concerning new ABS data funded by Cancer Council shows that, a decade on, tanning culture is still a significant issue with over 100,000 South Australians (1 in 14) trying to get a suntan in the last 12 months.

Solariums (also known as sunbeds) are machines that emit intense and damaging levels of UV radiation – up to six times as strong as the midday summer sun.

Commercial solariums were banned in Australia from 1 January 2015, with a 2008 research study estimating that more than 2,800 skin cancer cases and 43 melanoma deaths each year could have been directly linked to solarium use.

Cancer Council SA Prevention Coordinator Diem Tran says that while the solarium ban was a huge win for skin cancer prevention and public health, dangerous attitudes towards suntanning are still a major concern.

“This new data shows us that not enough South Aussies are actioning the SunSmart message. Any damage to the skin caused by overexposure to harmful UV radiation from the sun, including a tan or sunburn, increases your risk of developing skin cancer,” Diem said.

“There’s no such thing as a safe tan. Every time your skin tans, the damage adds up to increase your risk.”

“Suntanning contributes to two in three Australians getting skin cancer in their lifetime. As we approach the holiday season with many South Australians spending more time outdoors and heading to the beach, sun protection is particularly important.”

“When the UV is 3 and above, we really encourage South Aussies to slip on sun protective clothing that covers your arms and legs, slop on SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed or bucket hat, slide on sunglasses and seek shade wherever possible.”

The Sun Protection Behaviours Survey 2023-24, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and funded by the Cancer Councils of Australia, interviewed South Australians who were outdoors in peak UV times during November 2023 to February 2024.

South Australians can check the UV Index and recommended sun protection times by downloading the SunSmart Global UV app.