WATCH ABOVE: A Quebec Bill prohibiting minority youth from using tanning beds is apparently not being enforced. Rachel Lau has more.
MONTREAL – There’s a fine line between sun-kissed and unhealthily bronzed, but that doesn’t stop more than 250,000 young Quebecers from going to tanning salons.
“There is a need for a stronger regulation about these practices because it’s a serious risk to the health of the users,” said Olivier Bourgeois, a representative of Option Consommateurs.
Last year, the government of Quebec passed a law banning those under the age of 18 from receiving services at tanning salons.
“This is the new law just to prevent health issues of young people and be sure that these young people kind of see the issues of using tanning salons because it’s forbidden for them now in Quebec,” said Bourgeois.
Nevertheless, there’s a problem.
As one investigator discovered, the ban is not being properly enforced.
“They let the minor go in three cases. In three salons,” said Genevieve Charlet.
Global News spoke with several owners of tanning salons.
Many of them say they actually disagree with the law because it puts a dent in their business.
Dermatologist Beatrice Wang pointed out skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Canada.
“It’s almost an epidemic,” she said.
“We are seeing a very huge upswing in melanoma, and that’s the one that’s dangerous because it can spread and metastasize, and we are seeing it in younger people.”
Wang admits there’s a simple reason why there’s such a strong connection between skin cancer and artificial tanning beds.
“Most people who go to tanning salons can’t tan very easily so they keep going to try and get brown,” she said.
“If you’re not doing that naturally it’s for a reason. You cannot. Your skin is a type that is more likely to develop skin cancer.”
This is why the consumer safety group is calling on the federal government to implement better protocols and make some changes.
“We have to put inspectors on the field, do surprise visits, and allow inspectors to ensure the law is being forced,” said Bourgeois.
With summer just a few months away, they’re hoping the message gets out to the youth sooner rather than later.
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