Tan fans can ban

A BAN on solariums has angered local salon owners and disappointed their clients.
The State Government last week announced that from 2015, Victorians will not be able to use commercial tanning beds.
The news was greeted with disbelief by Berwick tanning salon owner Michelle Gatt.
“This is going to affect me greatly,” she said.
“Eighty per cent of our clients are here for the solarium.”
Ms Gatt bought Sundaze Tanning and Beauty five years ago, primarily as a tanning-based business.
But the news from Spring Street has left her wondering what the future holds for her staff and customers.
“Our customers are angry at the decision and feeling sorry for solarium owners,” Michelle said.
“They also feel angry that their rights are being taken away from them.”
Ms Gatt believes the State Government should now provide compensation for business owners who will be affected by the bans.
“They should be helping us to renovate, to look at installing spray booths.”
The disappointment of solarium operators was not echoed in the wider community, however, where news of the ban was greeted enthusiastically.
On the Berwick/Cranbourne News Facebook page, posters backed the ban on bright-light bronzing.
Jacinta Parkinson said the decision is “Fantastic”, Natalie Kara said it is “great news”, Gary Boggart asked “why wait till then?” and Ina Stavril said it is “excellent news! It should be happening now though … so many lives will be lost in one year.”
VicHealth congratulated the State Government for its leadership and said it hoped other states and territories around Australia would follow and “remove these insidious machines from the market”.
In announcing the ban, Premier Ted Baillieu said he wanted other Australian states to join-in and rid the nation of tanning beds.
“The days for solaria in Victoria are numbered,” he said.
“Along with banning commercial solaria in Victoria, we will also seek to work with the Commonwealth and states on a national approach on solaria that could include a ban on the importation and manufacturing of sunbeds.”