Cancer victim's plight gets action on solariums

BRAVE cancer patient Clare Oliver is heartened by the community's response to her story that has led the State Government to act.

Ms Oliver was too ill to see visitors yesterday and was trying to retain her strength to celebrate her 26th birthday with friends and family tomorrow.

But in a statement she said she was pleased her story had touched so many people and led the Government to act on solariums.

"I am completely and utterly overjoyed at the fact that such a small action from me can cause such a huge chain reaction in the community," Ms Oliver said.

"I also want to thank everyone who has sent messages of love and support.

"These messages have given me strength."

Ms Oliver this week told how excessive solarium use and sunbaking left her with a melanoma and other cancers that will soon kill her.

Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the voluntary code of conduct for the solarium industry would be made mandatory.

The new rules will mean:

# It will be illegal to provide solarium services to children under 16.

# Those aged 16 or 17 must have parental permission.

# Compulsory health warnings.

The rules, which will be made under the Radiation Act, will be enforced from later this year.

Mr Andrews said it was believed 70-80 per cent of solariums complied with the existing voluntary code.

"We will take action. But we need to get it right.

"It is appropriate over the next couple of months we work through some of the detail.

"There are issues about whether staff have to be trained to a certain level.

"Some issues (are) in terms of fines.

"We will effectively licence each of the 500 solariums, and then there will be obviously a proper enforcement process."

Changes were first flagged in May by then health minister Bronwyn Pike, but had been fast-tracked since Ms Oliver's story went public.

Australian Solarium Association public officer Patrick Holly said he was happy with the announcement.

"We stand behind regulation of the industry," he said.

"Unfortunately, the voluntary code has not worked.

"Compliance ... is easy. Unfortunately, too many people got complacent."

Mr Holly said many Melbourne salons had not complied with standards; some had wrongly allowed unlimited use.

"It's a bit like the cigarette industry. A lot of people comply, but one or two do not."

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