ROME, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The Italian government reportedly sent a bill intended to prevent minors from receiving breast implants to the Italian Parliament on Monday.
The Italian news agency, ANSA, said the bill drafted by Health Undersecretary Francesca Martini is the first of its kind in Europe and would require a medical basis for any breast surgery for young patients.
Italian law currently allows girls under the age of 18 to undergo cosmetic breast surgeries if the minors have parental consent.
Martini said media images have prompted a growing number of teenage girls to feel inadequate and seek solutions via cosmetic breast surgeries.
The SWG research agency said its study on the issue indicates 36 percent of girls in Italy under the age of 18 are not pleased with their appearance, with 17 percent particularly concerned with their breasts.
ANSA said the bill also proposes enhanced privacy guarantees for cosmetic surgery patients and the creation of a state register that can be used to track any problems encountered by past cosmetic breast surgery patients.
