B.C. Government decides tanning not suitable for people under the age of 18, bans tanning beds
By Contributor
The Province announced that it will ban commercial tanning bed use by young people under the age of 18 to reduce the chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
“Unfortunately, cancer affects thousands of British Columbian families with one in three people expected to develop some form of cancer – such as skin cancer like melanoma – in their lifetime,” said Health Minister Michael de Jong.
“After a great deal of consideration of clinical evidence, commissioning a report to provide options and listening to what local governments had to say at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention last year, government has decided to restrict access to tanning beds for young people under the age of 18.”
Studies have shown that indoor tanning before the age of 35 raises the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent.
Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. In Canada, the incidence rates of melanoma are rising every year. Overall, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, and yet it is also one of the most preventable.
In 2012, the BC Cancer Agency estimates that 966 British Columbians will be diagnosed with melanoma and 150 will die of it. One in 69 females and one in 56 males is expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime.
One in 413 females and one in 284 males is expected to die of melanoma.
“As a stage four melanoma survivor, I am living proof of the dangers of tanning as a young person,” said Kathleen Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation.
“I welcome today’s announcement to ban people under 18 from tanning beds as anything we can do to prevent skin cancer later in life is good news for the patients who go through treatment and the hundreds of families that are ripped apart by this potentially deadly disease.”
“This is another step forward in cancer prevention,” said Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, CEO Barbara Kaminsky. “This decision to introduce this public policy is both evidence-based and has the support of the majority of British Columbians.”
“Skin cancer is a deadly disease and it’s important that young people are aware of the risks associated with UV rays,” said City of Surrey councillor Mary Martin, chair of the city’s Community Health Programs Committee.
“We know that tanning bed usage has increased over the past few decades and the new provincewide approach to regulation will ensure consistency among all local governments.”
“As the first jurisdiction in B.C. to pass a bylaw banning youth under the age of 18 from using commercial tanning beds, I would like to congratulate the Province on taking up this initiative,” said Capital Regional District vice chair mayor Graham Hill.
“It is the right thing to do as we try to reduce cancer rates wherever possible.”
