COSMETIC SURGERY SAFEGUARDS FOR QUEENSLAND TEENS

Legislation has been introduced in State Parliament today to safeguard young Queenslanders from unnecessary cosmetic surgical procedures and solarium use.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the maximum penalties for cosmetic practitioners who break the law would be $150,000 or two years imprisonment.

“Over the past month we have consulted extensively with key stakeholders such as surgeons, industry and the Cancer Council,” he said.

“This further round of consultation has produced a more clearly-defined list of procedures that could now be exempt from the under-18 ban on cosmetic surgery.

“Exemptions will be made for essential procedures, such as surgery to correct a congenital abnormality, or to reduce the impact of a disfigurement caused by an accident, burn or other trauma.

“I’m not against cosmetic surgery where it is needed to correct deformities, or negate any medical or psychological impact caused by specific body features.

“But major surgery performed on young people for purely cosmetic reasons is premature, and is a decision that should be made in adulthood.

“The health and well-being of Queensland’s children and young people is of paramount concern to this Government.

“I believe our legislative amendments will protect young Queenslanders from inappropriate or untimely cosmetic surgery.”

Higher risk invasive cosmetic procedures will be prohibited to young teens. These include: face lifts, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery and breast augmentation.

Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government recognised that decisions made by young people to enhance physical aspects of their appearance with cosmetic surgery, may be regretted later on.

“There is a need to protect our young people from procedures where they may not fully understand the risks or limitations.

“Under the Bill, a practitioner who performs a cosmetic procedure on an under-18 which is not an exemption, can be referred to their registration board and relevant body, such as the Health Quality and Complaints Commission.”

The new Bill introduced in Parliament today will amend the Public Health Act 2005 and the Radiation Safety Act 1999.

Amendments to the Radiation Safety Act will prevent under-18s from accessing solariums in various commercial settings, including at sun tanning clinics and gyms.

Operators will also be banned from hiring out sun tanning units to under-18s for use at home.

The maximum penalty for operators who break the law is $30,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a company.

Research commissioned by Queensland Health last year found that 44% of the 200 solarium operators in Queensland set a minimum age of 18 years for access to a solarium. However, 15% of operators permitted users as young as 15 years, to use solariums for cosmetic purposes.

“Queensland has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world,” said Mr Robertson.

“As 80% of skin damage associated with skin cancer occurs in the first two decades of life, it is clear that regulating young people’s access to solariums can contribute to an overall reduction in UV radiation exposure.

“The Cancer Council Queensland and the Australasian Solarium Association are among those who support the steps being taken by the Bligh Government.

“This is about protecting the health of young Queenslanders and ensuring any adult decisions they make about their bodies are made when they are adults.”

MEDIA: Alison Brown 0448 858053