MUCH to the disgust of the solarium industry, the tough Victorian laws that resulted from Clare Oliver's death 16 months ago are spreading Australia-wide.

Victorian regulations such as banning solarium use by under-18s, mandatory skin tests and fines up to $680,000 will formally become law on February 1.

And just to make sure the laws are obeyed, state Health Minister Daniel Andrews yesterday revealed that people aged under 18 will be visiting tanning centres undercover and attempting to use their services. "It's a sting, if you like," he said.

Mr Andrews said the new laws were a reaction to Ms Oliver's death to melanoma.

In the last months of her life the 26-year-old fought a high-profile campaign against solariums, which she blamed for her illness.