According to a guideline published by the Chinese government on June 6, all businesses, organizations and individuals cannot provide tattoo services to minors. The guidelines also prohibit forcing, inducing and instigating this age group to get a tattoo, and encourage parents to dissuade their children from using this type of service.
“Professional tattoo parlors as well as medical and aesthetic agencies that provide tattooing services should have a notice board clearly stating the denial of minors and require identification if it is difficult to assess the quality of the tattoo. their age is based on appearance,” the guide said.
In recent years, tattoos have gained particular traction among young Chinese, seen as a fashion and a way of self-expression. However, tattoos have not yet received wide social acceptance in this country and are often blurred on television.
Chinese authorities often see tattoos as “stains” that need to be cleaned up by the media. In response to a media question on June 7, China’s State Council considered tattooing a “social risk point”, which could cause teenagers to commit illegal acts and adversely affect the lives of their children. future employment of this group.
Amanla, a tattooist in Yunnan province, said he agreed with the ban. He believes that many young people, especially from rural areas, tend to “catch the trend” without having enough knowledge.
“Protection is necessary. It’s also disrespectful to do something just to look cool without knowing what you really want or not understanding body drawings.”
In recent years, some localities in China have also issued regulations banning tattoo services for children. In June 2021, a court in Jiangsu province ordered a local tattoo parlor to stop serving minor customers after allegedly tattooing more than 40 children with ink containing toxic pigments. .
Yuan Ningning, a legal counsel specializing in family education law, said that the guidance clarified responsibilities among regulators, calling for more education as well as specific penalties. Current guidelines do not mention penalties for violators.
“The government has formed a consensus. But there needs to be a learning process between grassroots levels of government for this guide to be effective. That’s the first step, and it’s also a very important step.”
