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A new study that shows that New Zealand has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world has confirmed the need to ban tanning beds and make standards mandatory. sunscreen. . The 2018 skin cancer index indicates that NZ has nearly 2,500 new cases of melanoma each year.
It is recommended to protect yourself from sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn. Despite this, New Zealand clbadifies sunscreens as cosmetics and does not protect consumers from the harmful rays of the sun.
Sue Chetwin, General Manager of Consumer NZ, said last year she tested 20 sunscreens against the Australia / New Zealand standard. "Our test revealed that some natural sunscreens offered only a weak protection, that one did not meet the requirements of high protection or broad spectrum and that two companies, including one big brand , provided test certificates. Ms. Chetwin says:
Sunscreens can be sold in New Zealand without being tested because sunscreen is voluntary here.
The use of a tanning bed also increases the risk of developing skin cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, using one before the age of 30 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.
Like sunscreens, compliance with the standard is voluntary. The NZ consumer has been mystery shopping sunbed operators for more than a decade. In February of this year, our investigation confirmed bad practices in this industry.
"Young and fair-skinned people are particularly vulnerable, but two operators allowed a person under 18 to have a tanning bed and six to have a tanning bed," Ms. Chetwin. Buyers did not have a tanning bed but did the survey in the cabin
Current regulations do not provide sufficient protection for consumers and it is time for the government to make the sun protection standard mandatory and prohibit tanning beds. These measures are already in place in Australia and, given our high rates of skin cancer, it is not enough that our regulations are lagging behind.
For reports on sunscreen and Consumer NZ beds, visit consumer.org.nz.
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