Saskatchewan moves to restrict minors from using tanning beds

REGINA – Saskatchewan will soon become the last province in the country to prohibit the use of tanning beds for people under the age of 18.

The province plans to develop regulations that will prevent youth from using tanning beds. Those regulations are expected to be finalized and implemented by the summer of 2015.

“Our government’s goal is to protect the health of Saskatchewan residents,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Our young people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of indoor tanning, and this is one way we can help them lower their risk of melanoma.”

READ MORE: Sask. government considering new tanning laws

Duncan said the province has learned a lot from seeing how other provinces are handling the regulations.

“We have made every effort to be thoughtful about this issue, to gather as much information as possible, and to be aware of different perspectives before proceeding,” he said.

“Better late than never is the way I’m framing it,” said Donna Pasiechnik, manager of media and government relations for Canadian Cancer Society in Saskatchewan.

A recent audit, conducted independently for the organization, sent underage research assistants to 42 tanning salons in both Regina and Saskatoon; 55 per cent of the businesses did not ask for the assistants’ ages.

“Voluntary guidelines, self-regulation is clearly not working,” said Pasiechnik, adding that she hopes that the ban makes people of all ages understand the effects of the activity. “There is no such thing as a safe tan.”

Linda Griffin, owner of Linda’s Sugar and Nails, only allows people under 18 years old if she gets parental consent through a signature or in person.

“I think it should be up to the parents,” she said regarding the decision.

She said that the law won’t impact her business because so few young people are tanning anymore; just one person (if at all) a year versus 22 a year three years prior.

Saskatchewan will still continue with public education efforts to raise awareness at the risks of using tanning beds.

Last week Alberta banned anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds in their province.