Newsie – Kiwis in the lead for skin cancer rates



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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 classifies sunscreens as cosmetics and does not protect consumers from the harmful rays of the sun.

Sue Chetwin, CEO of NZ, said last year she tested 20 sunscreens against the Australia / New Zealand standard. SPF label statement and requirements for broad spectrum protection.

"Our test revealed that some natural sunscreens provided little protection.A company did not meet high or broad spectrum protection requirements, and two companies – including a major brand – provided Testing for similar, but not identical, sunscreens, "says Ms. Chetwin. Sunscreen is voluntary here.

The use of a tanning bed also increases the risk of To have a skin cancer.According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, the use of one before 30 years of age increases the risk of melanoma of 75 percent.

Like sunscreens, compliance with the sunbed standard is voluntary.The NZ consumer has been mystery shopping sunbed operators for more than a decade. "Young and fair-skinned are particularly vulnerable the, but two operators allowed a person under 18 years of age to have a tanning bed and six operators to a light-skinned person. to have a tanning bed, "said Ms. Chetwin.Buyers did not have the tanning bed, but they did surveying in the cabin

Current regulations do not provide sufficient protection to consumers and it is time for the government to make the sun protection standard mandatory and ban tanning beds.These measures are already in place in Australia and, given our high rates of skin cancer, it does not exist. it is not enough that our regulations are lagging behind.

For reports on Consumer NZ sunscreens and beds, visit consumer.org.nz.

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