Aussie official out to nip teens' cosmetic surgery

SYDNEY, Australia — Shocked by the number of teens seeking breast implants, Botox injections and nose jobs, the leader of Australia's most populous state has said new laws are needed to make it harder for young people to go under the knife.

New South Wales state Premier Morris Iemma told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper that the number of people under 18 seeking cosmetic enhancements had recently gotten out of hand.

"It used to be the case that the biggest question parents faced was whether to give their children permission to have their ears pierced," Iemma told the paper.

"Then it was tattoos. But, increasingly, parents are being asked to fund breast implants or a nose job as birthday or graduation gifts," he said.

The report said Iemma plans to introduce new laws requiring teenagers to get a referral from their doctor and undergo counseling before receiving plastic surgery.

Parental consent also would be required, as well as a minimum one-month cooling-off period before any procedure.

But Dr. Norm Olbourne of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons said many young people have legitimate reasons for undergoing surgery.

"I'm concerned that if there was legislation, it might preclude young people who not only deserve but need cosmetic surgery for their well-being," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.