COST OF SUN SAFETY

From the golden beaches of the Coromandel to the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps, New Zealand's natural beauty beckons adventurers to embrace the outdoors. However, amidst this idyllic scenery lies a sobering reality: skin cancer casts a shadow over the nation's sun-kissed landscape.

According to Aotearoa’s SunSmart programme, an estimated 90,000 non-melanoma and 2,800 invasive melanomas are diagnosed annually in New Zealand. Tragically, around 500 individuals succumb to this disease each year. Despite the abundance of scientific evidence demonstrating sunscreen's ability to block harmful UV radiation, prevent sunburn, and reduce DNA damage in skin cells, economic barriers hinder its widespread use.

With New Zealand ranking second in the world for skin cancer rates, one would expect every effort to combat sun damage to be embraced. However, the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on sunscreen contradicts this effort. GST is a tax added to the price of most goods and services sold in the country. Unlike our trans-Tasman neighbour, Australia, where all sunscreens with a rating of SPF 15 or above are GST exempt, New Zealand persists in making sunscreen 15% more financially burdensome for its citizens.

This discrepancy is not just perplexing, it's detrimental to public health. GST on a product so essential to the health and safety of Kiwis defies logic. It's time to rectify this disparity by implementing a GST exemption for sunscreen, thereby making it accessible to all, regardless of economic circumstances.

Sunscreen is not a luxury; it's a basic necessity in our sun-drenched nation. Its GST exemption would promote equity in sun protection, ensuring that every New Zealander has access to this vital tool in the fight against skin cancer. Moreover, it aligns with international best practices, demonstrating our commitment to prioritising public health and well-being.

As we navigate the sunlit pathways of our beautiful country, let us not allow economic barriers to cast a shadow over our health. It's time for policymakers to recognize the urgency of this issue and take decisive action. By exempting sunscreen from GST, we can pave the way towards a brighter, healthier future for all New Zealanders.

Our friends at RAAIE Skincare have initiated this pivotal conversation and it is now in our hands to stand with them. We have signed the petition – and so should you.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-the-gst-on-sunscreen-products-in-new-zealand?source_location=tag_

(1) Gordon L. et al. (2022). Estimated Healthcare Costs of Melanoma and Keratinocyte Skin Cancers in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2021. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(6).

(2) Skin cancer statistics | World Cancer Research Fund International (wcrf.org).