A city councillor wants to ban youth from using tanning salons.
At-Large Coun. Aldo Ruberto said he plans to put a resolution forward at city council banning youth 18 and younger from using tanning beds. Ruberto was inspired by the actions of Oakville, Ont., town council who banned minors from using tanning beds earlier in the month. The vote by that council was unanimous.
A provincial MPP has also taken steps to ban tanning for teenagers. France Gelinas (NDP, Nickel Belt) introduced the bill in April. The current Ontario regulations require youth under 16 to have written permission before getting a tan at a salon.
Ruberto said the province was talking too long so he wanted to bring up the issue to council and added the Canadian Cancer Society has already sent him information about the dangers of tanning.
“If we know this type of thing can lead to cancer in young people later on in life then why wouldn’t we try to do something to stop it,” Ruberto said. “There’s some people that shouldn’t even be on tanning beds. The reality is some people use and abuse them too much.”
When he brings the matter up with his fellow councillors, Ruberto said he hopes to get complete support but will listen to any opposition to his resolution.
“If the province is going to do it why should we? I’m going to try and present it but there’s no rush,” he said. “I’ll put the recommendation on the floor with the condition that if the province is going to do it then we don’t have to pursue it.”
Ruberto added that he never used a tanning bed and preferred going outside.
Kelly-Jo Gillis, manager for preventive services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, said the evidence shows tanning beds aren’t good for anyone.
“I think it’s important that we look into this issue but it’s also important to look at the facts and the reasons why we’re addressing the issue for youth under the age of 18 tanning,” Gillis said. “We know melanoma is on the rise especially among young people and rapidly increasing amongst women. That’s why we have to address this issue.”
Gillis said they will continue to work and educate the city on the risks of tanning.
