Consumer NZ says the nation's tanning salons are putting vulnerable customers at risk of permanent damage.

The watchdog has accused some operators of letting under-18s and fair-skinned users to book sessions - and is calling for an overall ban.

Consumer NZ writer Belinda Castles says other countries have made the move to ban sunbeds amid concern surrounding skin cancer.

"We've got these voluntary regulations - and clearly voluntary is not working. So we should just ban them, there's no need for them."

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