A campaign touting the slogan “no tan is worth dying for” has been launched by area public health units and the North East Cancer Prevention and Screening Network.
This campaign aims to increase awareness of the health risks involved with indoor tanning and to strongly regulate the tanning industry including provisions that ban access to those under 18 years of age, stated a press release from the coalition.
As of 2009, the World Health Organization upgraded the classification of tanning beds to the highest cancer risk category, group 1 “carcinogenic to humans.”
At the present time in Canada, there is no comprehensive legislation governing the operation of indoor tanning equipment.
“Prevention is the key because melanoma has quickly become the third most common form of cancer in young Canadian women,” Sudbury dermatologist, Dr. Lyne Giroux, said in the press release.
“In Ontario, the incidence of melanoma has increased significantly and is the second most common cancer in those 15 to 34 years of age.”
There is strong evidence that exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning equipment increases the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent when used before the age of 30, the press release said.
The National Sun Survey 2008 reports that 27 per cent of Canadian women aged 16 to 24 use tanning equipment.
According to Giroux, arguments for the use of indoor tanning for health reasons are weak.
“Acquiring a so-called 'base tan' in a tanning bed prior to travelling south may expose users to UV rays 10 to 15 times higher than the mid-day sun, giving little protection,” Giroux said.
“And it isn’t a safe way to get your vitamin D. There are many myths and misconceptions related to indoor tanning and this campaign aims to dispel them.”
The “No Tan Is Worth Dying For” campaign has adopted the Call to Action of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, asking the Ontario Government to:
- Protect the health of Ontario’s youth by enacting legislation that will restrict the use of indoor tanning equipment by youth under 18 years of age
- Develop and maintain a registry of indoor tanning equipment in use in Ontario
- Prohibit the marketing of indoor tanning targeting youth, such as advertising in school yearbooks
And further recommends that:
- All staff operating indoor tanning equipment receive training on operation procedures, maintenance and how to identify people with fair skin who are at greater risk of developing skin cancer
- Signage stating the health risks of indoor tanning be posted in clear view of each tanning bed
People can support this campaign by filling out a postcard, available at many locations including local public health units, the press release said.
The press release also encourages people to contact their MPPs to support Bill 31, which would ban those under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.
The private member's bill was introduced by Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas and London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal, and received first reading on April 13, 2010 in the Ontario Legislature.
