Regina – Saskatchewan’s Health Minister is considering new laws about who can use a tanning bed.
Previously, when asked about the issue of minors tanning, he said he was focusing on education instead.
“We will have a look at the decision to not make a move in Saskatchewan to this point, and have a discussion about that,” said Health Minister Dustin Duncan.
Alberta introduced legislation Tuesday that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using an indoor tanning bed. That makes Saskatchewan the only province with no law in place.
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has been calling for legislation for years. According to CCS, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Saskatchewan, with melanoma rates on the rise in young people.
“Education alone is not working in Saskatchewan to keep kids from indoor tanning,” said Donna Pasiechnik, Canadian Cancer Society Media Relations Manager. “Despite the health warnings, despite the fact they know it’s dangerous, they continue to tan. In most cases their parents are taking them to their tanning sessions, and paying for their tanning sessions. We believe that’s why a policy in combination with education will change behaviours.”
The severity of tanning laws differ across the country, with some provinces only requiring parental consent for a minor to tan.
Duncan says he’ll be taking a look at the effectiveness of other legislation.
“There hasn’t been a lot of consensus across the country, because this has been an issue that has been moving over a number of years,” Duncan said. “It is a patchwork in terms of what’s happening across the country, and it’s a patchwork in what’s happening across the world. There are a couple of countries that are talking about outright bans when it comes to tanning. So, I think there’s a lot of different options.”
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