Solariums are to be banned in 2015 in a bid to fight skin cancer, and a new survey shows they won't be missed.


SYDNEY, AAP - Solariums will be banned in most states from January, and new research shows they will not be missed.

A Cancer Council survey of more than 6300 Australians found almost 80 per cent of adults and nearly 70 per cent of adolescents support a ban on solariums.

People who use a solarium before age 35 have a 59 per cent greater risk of melanoma than those who do not, Cancer Council's Vanessa Rock says.

Only one per cent of adults and less than one per cent of adolescents said they had used a solarium in the past year, she says.

"Despite few Australians using solariums these days, we will continue to see the impact decades into the future," Ms Rock said.

"Any Australian who has used a sun-bed should keep a close eye on their skin and head straight to the doctor if they notice changes."

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR SUN-BEDS:

* Bans on commercial sun-beds come into force on January 1 in NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania, ACT and Queensland.

* The date for the introduction of WA's ban is yet to be announced.

* No commercial solariums operate in the NT.

* 79 per cent of adults support the ban.

* 67 per cent of adolescents support it.

* 18 per cent of women have used a solarium at least once in their lifetime.

* 7 per cent of men have used one.

(Source: Cancer Council)