Sunbed Industry Group Delighted with 84% Compliance Increase

Sunbed Industry Group Delighted with 84% Compliance Increase

The Indoor Tanning Industry NZ Inc (INTANZ) is delighted to see an increase in overall standards by sunbed operators, according to the results of the latest mystery shop survey by Consumer magazine.

Out of a total of 66 operators reviewed this time, 38 had also been reviewed in the survey carried out in 2010. Of these operators, 32- nearly 85%- increased their scores across a range of compliance points. Eight of the operators went from very little to full compliance with the industry’s voluntary guidelines. Of the operators who scored either 6 or 7 out of a possible 7 points, five are members of INTANZ.

Commenting on the results INTANZ spokesperson Tiffany Brown said, “We are rapt to see such improvement in this year’s survey. By comparison with last year it is clear most operators are getting the message- they need to shape up or ship out.”

Brown describes the group’s efforts to enforce voluntary guidelines as an ‘uphill battle’, pin-pointing INTANZ’s isolation as the main barrier to success, with groups like Consumer and the Cancer Society refusing to work in a collaborative way to improve standards.

“This year our resources have been stretched to the limit just dealing with the NZ Commerce Commission investigation instigated by these two groups,” says Brown. “Between that and running our small businesses there are just not enough hours in the day to devote to educating the rest of the industry as we would love to do.”

INTANZ would like to see full compliance across the board, and recognizes there is still plenty of work to be done. “Performance in ‘tanning only’ operators is very strong, but the ‘add-on’ operators need to lift their game,” says Brown. “We are committed to doing everything possible to see this outcome.”

Consumer NZ has reiterated a call for licensing and regulation of the industry, which INTANZ does not have a problem with. “We have repeatedly said we are happy to accept workable regulation of the industry developed in a co-operative manner,” says Brown. “If the Ministry of Health did get involved to such an extent we would be better able to fulfill our mission to protect people’s freedom to tan while ensuring minimum standards of client care are upheld.”

INTANZ has been working to advise the industry on the issue at the heart of the Commerce Commission’s recent investigation into alleged misleading claims by sunbed operators. While vitamin D is made in the skin in response to the UVB wavelength of light found in most sunbeds, the Commission is concerned some operators may be over-stating this benefit while failing to inform clients on risks associated with sunbed mis-use.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun or sunbeds is a minor contributing factor to skin cancer, with genetics playing the major part. UVR appears on a list of World Health Organisation (WHO) potential carcinogens, along with alcohol, the oral contraceptive pill, salted fish and industrial paint fumes.

“Consumer NZ has taken a strong advocacy position in terms of our industry. It’s disappointing to us to see Consumer takes no such position about alcohol,” says Brown. “The latest issue of Consumer magazine contains a report comparing and promoting various white wines “worthy of a spot at your Christmas table” despite this substance also being rated as ‘definitely carcinogenic to humans’ by the WHO.”

Brown says the need to balance potential risks from over-exposure to UV light with potential benefits of improved vitamin D status from that exposure is now more important than ever. “INTANZ is very concerned about the disproportionate pressure put on the sunbed industry, while people continue to be at risk and largely confused about their exposure outdoors in the sun,” she says, “and we’d also like to continue our work to educate people on this important topic. Frightening people out of the sun will not address the issue.”

The WHO advises the public avoid the use of sunbeds, but this directive has critics. A recent paper authored by pre-eminent cancer research scientist Johan Moan concluded “Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against the use of tanning beds, but this statement, along with recommended Vitamin D levels, should be re-evaluated."

ENDS

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