An Australian Consumers Association survey found widespread flouting of the industry's voluntary standards, which are designed to warn customers about the risks of skin cancer and premature ageing.

The survey called for national regulations for the solarium industry.

The investigation, reported in Choice magazine, found many salons misinformed customers about safety and ignored their own guidelines about tanning for teenagers and the fair-skinned.

The report found 18 per cent of salons claimed solariums were a safer way to tan than outdoor sun tanning, and 16 per cent said solariums did not cause premature ageing of the skin.

Read more about the Australian Consumers Association's warning on tanning salons at http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17169480%255E2862,00.html.