Background and Context:
In the decade up to 2006, there was a 500% increase in the number of solariums in Melbourne. 281 cases of melanoma and 43 deaths are caused by solariums in Australia every year.
Aim:
To advocate to the State Government of Victoria to enable an outright ban of all commercial sunbeds in Victoria.
Strategy/Tactics:
A range of advocacy and communication techniques were implemented including partnership development, media relations, grassroots campaigning, as well as digital media tactics to secure public and government support for a solarium ban.
After the announcement of a ban in New South Wales, a media event provided an opportunity to send the Minister for Health a letter signed by 161 clinicians from the Cancer Council Victoria’s Clinical Network (a representative oncology forum in Victoria) calling on the Victorian government to ban solariums.
A new coalition, ‘Switch off Solariums’ (SOS), was also formed comprising of five health groups including Cancer Council Victoria, the Australian Medical Association Victorian Branch, Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc. and the Victorian Faculty of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. The SOS coalition co-signed a petition letter that was published on the change.org website calling on members of the public to show their support for a ban in Victoria. The coalition also sent letters to all Victorian Members of Parliament, urging them to support the introduction of a ban.
The Greens, an Australian political party, agreed to support the campaign and put forward a motion in parliament calling on the legislation to ban solariums. Both major parties supported the motion.
Programme/Policy Process:
On 13 December 2012, the Premier announced a solarium ban for Victoria.
Outcomes/What was learned:
The key to success was utilising a long-term, comprehensive advocacy strategy, incorporating research and powerful personal stories, and working in partnership with other organisations to form a united front.