Body piercings age change approved in principle

Politicians in Guernsey have agreed to lower the age limit for body piercings from 18 to 16, with parental consent.

The move was brought by a group of seven deputies.

Former Chief Minister Gavin St Pier was one of the seven and said: "This cohort of our community are enabled by law to vote, to have sex, join the armed forces and get married."

Health and Social Care president Deputy George Oswald, brought an amendment to remove the ability for 16 year olds to have their cartilage pierced. It was defeated.

Deputy Tina Bury, who was part of the group to bring the requete, said: "We need to be realistic... we either make piercings more safe and accessible, or they do it themselves - unsafely."

Deputy Andy Cameron, who voted against the requete, said: "In professions where adults work unsupervised with under 18s, we require enhanced DBS (criminal record) checks.

"We impose this additional layer of protection because the person involved is a minor."

The draft ordinance will come back to the States at a later date to be approved into law.

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