State Government bans commercial tanning units

Friday 3 February 2012

The State Government is introducing tough new laws banning commercial ultraviolet (UV) solaria tanning units in NSW, the Environment Minister Robyn Parker said today.

Ms Parker, announcing the ban on World Cancer Day, said there was mounting evidence that the use of sunbeds was associated with an increased risk of melanoma at any age. “Solaria use is associated with a range of skin cancers, including melanoma, which is the most life threatening form of skin cancer and the most common form of skin cancer among 15 to 39-year-olds,” Ms Parker said. More

NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUSES ON NZ’S ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

New York-based photographer Diane Tuft is in New Zealand to record the effects of infrared and ultraviolet light on New Zealand's landscape.

Through her photographs, Diane Tuft aims to bring more focus and attention to the environmental and atmospheric destruction that she says is taking place globally. Listen to Diane interviewed by Kiwi FM here

PRE-SCHOOLERS WILL SHOW OFF THEIR CREATIVITY AT RACE DAY COMPETITION

Thursday 19 January 2012

Under-fives will have the chance to let their creative juices flow at the SunSmart hat-making competition for pre-schoolers at the Trentham Interislander Summer Festival Family Day Races on Wellington Anniversary Day, Monday 23 January.

The fun kicks off at midday, and the littlies will have plenty of time to make and decorate their hat creations before modelling them in a parade at around 1.40pm, when prizes will be awarded.

Judging the SunSmart hat-making competition will be Miss Hutt Valley 2012 Rachel Millns, Trentham Fashion Ambassador Samantha Hannah, and SunSmart’s Laurianne Reinsborough.

It will be a great day for the whole family, with a carnival atmosphere, free entry for those aged under 18, and loads of free activities and entertainment especially for kids.

Laurianne Reinsborough says SunSmart is delighted to be part of the event.

“We thought a hat-making competition would be a fun way to remind everyone of the importance of always protecting our skin from the harsh New Zealand sun.

“Before families head to Trentham, we want them to remember to ‘slip, slop, slap and wrap’ – slip on a shirt or into the shade, slop on plenty of broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on a pair of wrap-around sunglasses.”

She says it’s important to remember that it’s not the sun’s heat that burns but ultraviolet radiation (UV). “We need to protect our skin even on cool or cloudy days, because UV penetrates cloud cover.”

For further information: Laurianne Reinsborough, SunSmart Manager, HSC on 04 472 5777 or 0220 892 854

What’s really under your skin?

17 January 2012

Look out for a new campaign this summer that’s going to get right under your skin. Find out more...

NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUSES ON NZ’S ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Media Advisory
Tuesday 17 January 2012

New York-based photographer Diane Tuft is in New Zealand this week to record the effects of infrared and ultraviolet light on New Zealand's landscape.

Through her photographs, Diane Tuft aims to bring more focus and attention to the environmental and atmospheric destruction that she says is taking place globally.

Since 1998, Diane Tuft has been recording the effects of infrared and ultraviolet light on the Earth's landscape. She says both global warming and ozone depletion are responsible for the vivid and intense colours she captures in her photos.

“Ozone depletion allows for more ultraviolet light to enter the surface of the earth. High levels of ultraviolet light can result in skin cancer and cornea damage in humans, and the destruction of plant life.”

For example, her photographs of Iceland from 2001 until 2008 illustrate the drastic change in the size of the glaciers due to global warming.

Because infrared and ultraviolet (UV) light are typically beyond the visible spectrum, Diane Tuft’s images can be very surreal (see her work at www.dianetuft.com).

In March, Diane's work will be exhibited at the world-renowned Marlborough Gallery in New York City.

For further information

• Diane Tuft is available in Auckland on Thursday 19 January and via phone anytime on (001) 212-366-6454.
•  Dr Richard McKenzie, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), studies UV and its effects. He can lend a scientific perspective to Diane's work.
•  To discuss the relationship between UV rays and skin cancer, and the need to be SunSmart, contact Laurianne Reinsborough, SunSmart Manager, HSC on 04 472 5777 or 0220 892 854 or Wayde Beckman, SunSmart Marketing & Communications, HSC on 027 289 6680.