By Erin Stewart
People in Ontario under the age of 18 will no longer be able to use tanning beds.
The Skin Cancer Prevention Act was passed yesterday at Queen’s Park, making it illegal for minors to use tanning beds.
Public health units will enforce the new rules with government monitoring the development of regulations in the coming months.
Kate Neale, a melanoma survivor from Belleville, is an advocate and volunteer for the indoor tanning campaign with the Canadian Cancer Society.
“At 21 years old, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. I’m 23 now and living with the reality that I’ve wrecked my health because I used indoor tanning beds as a teen. I’ve always hoped that one day, no young person in Ontario would be able to use indoor tanning beds like I did. Thanks to the efforts of many, this hope is now a reality,” Neale said.
The risk of skin cancer increases by 75 per cent when people use tanning beds before the age of 35, reports the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Melanoma cancer has been rising in youth and young adults across Ontario, particularly among women ages 25 to 34.
Deb Matthews, minister of health and long-term care, stressed the importance of this bill being passed.
“By passing this bill, we are saving lives. Restricting access to tanning beds is one of the most important things we can do to help reduce the risk of skin cancer for our young people,” she said.
Belleville City Council banned minors from tanning in January of this year.
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