http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/13/2273359.htm
Solarium operators face court grilling
Anti-sunbed crusader: Clare Oliver (The 7.30 Report)
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Australia’s consumer watchdog is taking three solarium operators to court, accusing them of misleading the public about the risks of tanning.
The Federal Court action is being taken against Tropical Sun Industries, Body Bronze International and the Australian Tanning Association.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges the organisations engaged in false, misleading and deceptive conduct.
The ACCC is also launching action against Scott Meneilly, the former president of the ATA and the current chief executive of Body Bronze.
The watchdog is concerned about comments made after the death of Melbourne anti-tanning crusader Clare Oliver.
Ms Oliver’s doctor, Associate Professor Grant MacArthur, has told AM he is not surprised by the court action.
“There was really a disconnect between the available medical evidence in the way that the industry were promoting their product,” he said.
“It is inevitable that this sort of action would come about.
“I think this is a very significant step forward in the battle against melanoma, and I think it’s absolutely clear that Clare would be absolutely thrilled to see the industry having to face court in this way,” he added.
Have my friends “down under” gone bonkers?
It appears that Australia has allowed a small group of anti-tanning activists to perform a public lynching of the Australian solarium industry and one of it’s leaders.
First of all, Claire Oliver’s tragic death was not caused by solarium use because the latency period of this disease is far too long for her recent sunbed use to be the cause.
Secondly (and very importantly) while there is a “molecular signature” for UVR and BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma) and SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma), there is no molecular signature for UVR and CMM (Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma). So why to the anti-tanning folks continue to say that sunlight (and solaria) causes melanoma when the evidence clearly shows that it doesn’t? Because scaring the public about melanoma sells products containing sunscreen and provides “free advertising” to dermatologists!
A recent scientific study showed conclusively that that the development of facultative pigmentation (a.k.a., a “tan”) significantly reduced the potential for UVR-induced skin damage. Therefore, the “smartest” thing Australian’s can do is maintain a tan year-round.
Several recent studies have shown that solaria provide a controlled source of vitamin D-effective photons and there are numerous studies showing that there is an inverse relaltionship between vitamin D (25-OH-D) levels and the incidence/mortality of dread diseases like cancer, coronary heart disease, MS, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.
Continuing to allow the sunscare coalition to turn Australia into a “nanny” state where everyone is afraid of sunlight (and solaria) will damage the health and welfare of the citizens of your great country.
clare oliver admits it wasnt the solarium on you tube ?
W T F ?