Legislation to institute licensing fees for tattoo artists and body piercing establishments sparked a debate in the Senate on whether parental consent should be required for teens seeking body art.

Government Senator Patrice Parris introduced draft regulations which will attach a $22 licensing fee to establishments providing electrolysis, tattooing and body piercing.

Practitioners will also have to be licensed for a $22 yearly fee and be issued Government certificates. Health inspectors will monitor the practitioners.

Opposition Senator Kim Swan first raised the concern that children under the age of 16 can be pierced or tattooed without their parents' consent under regulations Government passed earlier this year.

But Government Senator Michael Scott argued that legislation was introduced in order to protect public health but that did not mean Government wanted to "over regulate".

"It's a fad with children the world over and our children are merely copying their peers," Mr. Scott said.

But is it a fad with "life long implications" which people might later come to regret, Senator Rev. Leonard Santucci said. But Sen. David Burch said this was essentially a parenting matter that does not require Government legislation.

And Sen. Milton Scott pointed out that Government introduced legislation to govern the operation of tattoo parlours and piercing establishments in order to provide a safe environment for the services.

No issue was taken with the proposed fees and a message was sent to the Acting Governor instructing him Senate had approved the draft regulations.