Fair skinned people to be banned from solariums in Western Australia

Lying on tanning beds might help you achieve the desirable tanned look, but along with it theres a consolation prize in store - chances of developing cancer.

Melbourne, Apr 4 : Lying on tanning beds might help you achieve the desirable tanned look, but along with it there's a consolation prize in store - chances of developing cancer.

Citing the consequences of solariums or tan beds, a law has been proposed in Western Australia that states that people with very fair skin and teenagers will not be allowed to use solariums in at least one state in the country.

The step has been taken to stop vulnerable people from developing cancer.

WA Health Minister Jim McGinty said that there was mounting evidence of a link between cancer and solariums.

"There are no health benefits whatsoever, no therapeutic benefits from the use of solaria. But there is a very big downside," News.com.au quoted McGinty, as saying.

Under the regulations, people with very fair skin, or skin type one, would not be allowed to use them because of their "extreme risk" of developing cancer.

People under 18 would also be banned, solarium operators would be required to undergo training, and educational material would have to be available at solarium centres.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency said that people with skin type one are at the greatest risk of developing some form of skin cancer.

ANI