In reaction to statistics that estimate 36% of Italian teenaged girls are displeased with their appearance, the Italian parliament has proposed a ban on cosmetic breast implants for girls 18 and younger. Believing that poor self-image during the teen years is exacerbated by the international media's emphasis on physical beauty, and finding that breast implantation is a very popular procedure for minor girls in Italy, lawmakers have proposed that breast implants for cosmetic reasons be banned, even with parental consent, for girls under the age of 18. The ban would not affect implants inserted for medical reasons, such as tuberous breasts or other deformities, however.
The bill also proposes increased privacy protection for cosmetic surgery patients as well as the creation of a state breast implant registry.