Based on a survey of more than 7500 children aged 12-17, the NSW School Students Health Behaviours Survey shows that 35 per cent of school students in 2008 preferred to have no tan at all, up from 25 per cent just four years earlier.

It also showed a reduction from 79 per cent to 75 per cent in high school students who were sunburnt at least once the previous summer.

Speaking on World Cancer Day, Premier Kristina Keneally said education campaigns such as the Government’s $5 million Dark Side of Tanning melanoma campaign - now in its third year - were contributing to a change in behaviour.

“Attitudes of teenagers towards getting burnt and having a tan are thankfully starting to change, but we need to be vigilant,” Ms Keneally said.

“Almost 500 people in NSW died from melanoma cancer last year and Australians have the highest incidence rate of this cancer in the world.

“The encouraging trend from this survey is that as awareness of the dangers associated with suntanning grow, young people are becoming more sun smart and less likely to desire a tan.

“However the figures also tell us we need to keep working with all school children, particularly teenage girls, to make sure the message is getting across.”

NSW Cancer Institute data shows:

• Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world.

• One-third of all cancer cases in 15 to 30 year olds in NSW were melanoma.

• Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in NSW, and the number one cancer among men aged 25 to 54 and women aged 15 to 29.

• There will be an estimated 4200 new cases of melanoma each year by 2011, compared with 3900 cases in 2009.

While fewer students were burnt last summer than 10 years ago, three in four students were spending too much time in the sun.

The high school survey showed increases in the number of students seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, using sunglasses and sunscreen over the past six years.

However there has been continued declines in those who are wearing hats or staying indoors during peak UV periods.