Ontario to become latest province to ban minors from using tanning beds

TORONTO – A bill that would ban minors from using tanning beds has passed unanimously in the Ontario legislature.

Once enacted, it will stop the sale of tanning services to those under the age of 18 and require operators to request identification from anyone who appears to be under 25.

The legislation also prohibits ads and marketing of tanning services that target minors and sets steep fines of up to $25,000 for those who break the rules.

Operators will be required to put up signs about the ban and the health risks of tanning.

The only exceptions will be medically proven light therapies, such as UVB therapy for vitiligo, which causes depigmentation of the skin.

Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have all either introduced or enacted legislation restricting the use of tanning beds by youths.

The federal Conservatives have promised regulations that would require all tanning beds to carry warnings about skin cancer and other potential dangers.

Health Canada regulates the sale, lease and import of tanning beds, while the provinces regulate tanning beds for commercial use.

The Canadian Cancer Society says the bans would save lives. It says it’s important to focus on youth because the risk of skin cancer increases by 75 per cent when tanning beds are used before age 35.

Cancer organizations and survivors have been pushing for a ban for seven years.

But it took five years — and three private member’s bills from New Democrat health critic France Gelinas and former Liberal MPP Khalil Ramal — before the governing Liberals took up the cause.

The Tories say the Liberals announced they would introduce the legislation to try to distract media attention from the controversial cancellation of two gas plants — which the auditor general has calculated could cost taxpayers up to $1.1 billion.

The opposition parties say the governing Liberals cancelled the two plants in Oakville and Mississauga before the 2011 election to save seats.

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