To the editor:
The Canadian Cancer Society applauds British Columbia for its plans to introduce regulations preventing young people from using indoor tanning and we urge the Ontario government to follow suit to protect the health of youth in this province.
The Society has been advocating for more than six years for provincial legislation to prohibit youth under 18 years of age from accessing indoor tanning equipment.
This important health issue needs to be addressed at the provincial level so that all youth across Ontario are protected from the dangers of indoor tanning. Society volunteers and staff have been working hard at the municipal level making deputations to councils across Ontario.
As a result, there have been resolutions in support of provincial legislation passed in Prince Edward County, Sarnia, Belleville, Brighton and Petrolia.
The Society is sending more than 12,000 letters to MPPs across the province and the three main party leaders currently in a letter-writing campaign calling for action on provincial indoor tanning legislation. We know Ontarians support us. An Ipsos Reid poll conducted in June 2011 and commissioned by the Society showed that: 83 per cent of Ontarians support a ban on indoor tanning by youth under 18 years.
• 77 per cent said youth should be prevented from using tanning beds
• 73% of Ontarians polled said the tanning industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself and government legislation is needed
• 80% of Ontarians support legislation to regulate the tanning industry
Research has concluded that using indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases a person’s risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75 per cent. With such strong evidence as well as public support, why is the Ontario government holding back on legislation that can potentially save lives?
Maria Cabral,
Manager, Northwestern Communities,
Canadian Cancer Society
