Switch Off Solariums is a coalition of public health organisations including Cancer Council Victoria, the Australia Medical Association Victorian Division, Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists Victorian Faculty who want to see a ban on solariums and their use in Victoria.

The Victorian government has hinted that solariums could be banned in this state within the next two years but this tough talk has yet to be backed up with action. 

Solariums are dangerous, unnecessary, out-dated and irrefutably linked to cancer. Research shows that people who use a solarium before the age of 35 have an 87% greater risk of melanoma than those who do not use solariums. Solarium use is associated with a significantly increased risk of both basal and squamous cell skin cancer. It has been estimated that each year in Australia, 281 new melanoma cases, 43 melanoma-related deaths, and 2,572 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma are attributable to solarium use. It’s also estimated one in six melanomas in young Australians aged 18-29 could be prevented if solariums were shut down. Now that New South Wales and South Australia have announced bans on solariums, we don’t want Victoria to become the new dumping ground for solariums so now is the time to take action and set a date for a ban in Victoria as soon as possible. 

Sign our petition to help us get the Victorian government to commit to a date.