The legendary ‘slip, slop slap’ motto’ has finally sunk into Australia’s collective consciousness, with Aussies increasingly less interesting in getting a suntan according to the latest research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The study compared the results of the National Sun Protection Survey conducted in 2010-11 with surveys taken in 2003-4 and 2006-7.

The research concluded that the proportion of adults desiring a tan fell from 39 per cent in 2003-4 to 27 per cent in 2010-11, with fewer reporting cases of sunburn at the weekend – down from 18 per cent in 2003 compared with 13 per cent in 2010-11.

Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Skin Cancer Committee, Terry Slevin, said improved sun protection behaviour (wearing sunscreen and long-sleeve tops) was noted over time, but mainly for adults, and there was less improvement in more recent years.

“The fact that people are reporting less intention to tan is encouraging and adds to the evidence that prevention and awareness campaigns are having an impact.”