The state government announced on Saturday it would introduce legislation to ban commercial solariums by the end of 2014, acknowledging the link between the units and skin cancer.

Local salon La Petite sold its upright tanning bed more than 18 months ago because beauty therapist Jacinda Violi did not want to take responsibility for what could happen if her customers used the solarium.

“When I did my beauty training, I was made aware of how bad solariums could be,” Ms Violi said.

“The UV lights are very strong – they told us six

minutes in a solarium was equivalent to six hours in the sun.

“If you want a tan, it’s best to do it the safe way. I think it’s a great thing the government are doing – I’d like to see solariums banned across the whole country.”

Ms Violi said spray tans were the safer, healthier alternative and could be applied in one visit, rather than several sessions in a sun bed.

One of her clients, 17-year-old Kendra Kingston, had never used a solarium and said she never would.

“If you want a tan, put on some sunscreen and go out in the sun – or get a spray tan,” she said.

Griffith Can Assist vice-president Olga Forner praised the state government’s decision to ban tanning beds but said a delayed implementation was not good enough.

“We are pleased to see salons being asked to remove something that is suspected of causing melanoma – although we feel it should be sooner rather than in three years’ time,” Ms Forner said.

“Anything that can happen to stop cancer should be acted on quickly.”