It’s illegal for anyone in Nova Scotia under 19 to use a tanning bed.
The Tanning Bed Act, which governs the use of artificial tanning devices, went into effect on June 1, 2011. Doctors Nova Scotia, along with partners such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Sun Safe Nova Scotia Coalition, lobbied government to ban tanning beds for use by youth.
Doctors Nova Scotia made its stand on artificial tanning during its 2010 annual conference when doctors voted to lobby government to ban the use of artificial tanning devices for youth.
Banning tanning beds for youth is an important step in reducing rates of skin cancer in the province. Overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation has long been known to increase the risk of skin cancer. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified artificial UV radiation (tanning beds) to a Group 1 category (carcinogenic to humans). This is the same categorization used for tobacco.
One in three cancers worldwide is skin-related. The highest rates are found in countries with fair-skinned populations with strong tanning cultures. Canada falls into this category.
The known consequences of excessive UV exposure include:
- skin cancers
- eye damage
- premature skin aging
- reduced effectiveness of the immune system, possibly leading to a greater risk of infectious diseases
Several organizations around the world have established position statements discouraging the use of artificial UC tanning equipment by everyone and youth in particular. These include the World Health Organization, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Dermatology Association.
The Tanning Bed Act received royal assent on Dec. 10, 2010.