CANBERRA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A new campaign targeting 15 to 24-year-olds was launched at the Australian Cancer Council on Thursday to highlight the damaging effects of sun exposure.

    It comes after regulation of solariums in Victoria last year saw a steep decline in tanning operators by more than 30 percent.

    The new laws also ban children under 18 visiting a solarium.

    However, research shows young people are less likely to apply sun protection when soaking up harmful rays, and often attempt to tan.

    Surgeon David Speakman from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center's skin and melanoma service said prevention in the early years was crucial.

    To spread through the body, a melanoma needs to measure only one millimeter thickness, he said.

    "If you don't get burnt, if you don't go crazy getting tanned, you won't get melanoma," Speakman said.

    "The damage is done when you're young."

    He emphasizes the five S's - slip, slop, slap, seek shade, and slide on a pair of sunglasses.

    The Cancer Council television campaign begins on November 22 to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week.