Ontario doesn’t let teens buy cigarettes, so why does it let them use tanning salons?
That line of reasoning has helped pass a bill at Queen’s Park that prevents minors from using tanning beds in the province.
Bill 30, titled “The Skin Cancer Prevention Act,” contains a host of measures aimed at limiting the health risks of indoor tanning.
When the new law, passed on Oct 9, comes into effect later this year, it will outlaw coin-operated self-tanning beds, require salons to provide patrons with health information and check ID for younger-looking customers. Fines for not obeying the law range from $5,000 for individuals to $25,000 for large businesses.
One in six Ottawa residents between the ages of 18 and 24 has admitted to tanning in the past year, according to Ottawa Public Health nurse Diane Desjardins.
She says that body image, self-esteem and the influence of celebrities and television shows all encourage young people to pursue the sun-kissed look.
“We know that education is important and health promotion is important but much like tobacco, we need legislation,” says Desjardins.
Ottawa Public Health has been pushing for the ban since the World Health Organization declared in 2009 that tanning beds and lamps are capable of causing cancer.
Centretown News reported in 2009 that the City of Ottawa was lobbying the provincial government for a ban.
Anti-tanning bills have a five-year history in the province, with a similar bill introduced but not passed in 2008.
Another bill was brought forward last year but died when Premier Dalton McGuinty prorogued the legislature.
Ontario is the sixth province to ban minors from tanning, joining Quebec, B.C., P.E.I., Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Andy Boznar, owner of the downtown UTAN salon, says he sees a lot of student traffic, but has always required parental consent for minors. He doubts the new law will have much of an impact on his business.
Still, when it comes to anti-tanning laws, Boznar is divided as a business owner and as a parent – but not in the expected way.
“From a business standpoint I encourage it because it’s going to help regulate the industry and create a more professional environment,” he says.
“But from a parent’s perspective, as I am, I’m appalled by it. I don’t want any government agency telling me as a parent that I don’t have the right to bring my 17 year-old son or daughter in for a couple tanning sessions before going on vacation.”
Boznar says the law “doesn’t address the real problem. The real problem is our industry has not been regulated successfully.”
Although personally he doesn’t agree with the full ban, he concedes that removing self-tanning beds and cracking down on the “bad apples” of the industry is a positive step.
University of Ottawa student Kailee O’Connor says she starting tanning at 15. Now that she’s older and more informed about the risks of skin cancer, she says the law is a good idea.
“Putting a law in place definitely helps. When you’re older you can make an informed decision, given the health risks,” she says, although she still has friends who tan occasionally.