SOLARIUMS will soon no longer be operating in Victoria after legislation to ban commercial tanning units was passed through parliament yesterday.

The ban will come into effect in Victoria on January 1, 2015.

Health Minister David Davis said the Government supported medical evidence that a ban on solariums was needed.

"The Coalition Government noted that of all cancers, skin cancer represents one of the most significant cost burdens on our health system and adversely affects the health of many Victorians," Mr Davis said.

"The banning of commercial tanning units will, over time, contribute to reducing the incidence of the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma," he said.

Plans to ban solariums in the state were first announced in December.

Mr Davis said the annoucnment of the ban's time frame last year gave businesses time to prepare and develop alternatives to harmful ultraviolet tanning.

The commercial solariam ban is part of the Coalition Government's Skin Cancer Prevention Framework 2013-2017, launched in December 2012.

Cancer Council Victoria prevention division director Craig Sinclair said because the ban would not come into effect for another 14 months, Victorians needed to be reminded solariums are never safe.

"With every use, you are increasing your risk of melanoma and prevention is far better than cure. We also want to encourage operators to switch off solariums as soon as possible. The sooner solariums cease to operate in this state, the more lives will be saved," Mr Sinclair said.

He said the Cancer Council encouraged the Government to develop an action plan for the safe disposal of the 458 tanning beds operating at commercial tanning salons throughout the state.

The decision is in line with similar laws in NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.

"By providing a free disposal program for solariams, the government can ensure that when the ban takes effect, these dangerous machines won't be sold to the private market and end up in people's homes."

The legislation follows in the footsteps of similar laws in place in NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.