The state government ban is in response to research that links solarium use with a range of skin cancers.

But Lucinderellas Instyle Hair and Beauty owner Lucinda Hyder has criticised the ban, saying people should have the right to use tanning beds if they wish.

“I think there are a lot more pressing concerns for the upper house to look at, including child welfare, health care and education,” she said.

“People deserve a choice and if they want to use a solarium, then they should be able to. People can readily buy alcohol and cigarettes; it’s all about choice.

“If they ban solariums, they should look at banning cars, because they cause deaths every day.”

The new laws will ban comm-ercial ultraviolet (UV) solarium tanning units in NSW from 2014.

Environment Minister Robyn Parker said solarium use was 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.

“The International Agency for Research on Cancer has increased the classification for solaria to ‘carcinogenic to humans’ and this places solaria in the same category of risk of harm to humans as asbestos,” she said.

“Sadly, Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world and this ban is long overdue.”

Ms Hyder defended her industry’s use of tanning beds, saying Lucinderellas does not advertise their solarium and follows a strict procedure.

“People must be over 18 to use it and we go through a formal skin check. We let them know what type their skin is and how many minutes they should stay in for,” she said.

“People with fair skin or red heads cannot use them.

“There are warnings in the solarium and people can’t stay in there for hours.

“There are positives to solariums, but the media only talk about the negatives. For people with skin problems like eczema, a solarium can clear it up, and for some people who work in offices, it is their only chance to get some vitamin D.

“Everything in moderation and we offer sunscreen for people to put on their lips or moles if they like.”

Ms Hyder said solariums are not all that popular.

“Spray tans are more popular, but it is all about choice.”

But Ms Parker said that recent advice indicated that the level of skin cancer risk associated with solarium use is higher than previously understood.

“Obviously we can’t stop people going out in the sun but this ban will prevent them from being exposed to the harmful UV from tanning units,” she said.