Indoor Tanning is Out

Not only can the ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning beds cause premature aging, it also increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Indoor tanning before the age of 30 has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of melanoma, and recently sunbeds (UV tanning beds) were moved up to the highest cancer risk category—group 1— ‘carcinogenic to humans’ by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Who is most at risk?

People with fair skin that tends to burn are at higher risk of problems from indoor tanning than those with darker skin. Young people also have delicate skin and are more likely to damage it by using sunbeds. You should NEVER use a sunbed if you:

are under 18
have fair or freckly skin
burn easily
have a lot of moles
have had skin cancer in the past
have a family history of skin cancer
use medication that increases your sensitivity to UV

A tan will not provide protection from the sun on holiday. One of the busiest seasons for indoor tanning starts in January when many teens tan before spring break. A tan offers very limited protection from sunlight or burning. At most, a tan is the equivalent to a sunscreen with SPF of just 2-4. Not enough to keep you safe in the sun.

Posters

Actual melanoma survivors urge young women to learn the facts about indoor tanning. In each case, these women thought tanning made them look beautiful. They had no idea that in a few short years they would be battling melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Now Hope, Bianca, Jackie, Aimee and Marie-Pier are speaking out.

Click below to read about their experiences.

Video

The “Indoor Tanning is Out” TV Public Service Announcement warns that artificial tanning is not as safe as you think! It is especially dangerous because UV rays from sunbeds can be up to 10-15 times higher than that of the midday sun. Prevention is key because melanoma, has become the third most common form of cancer in young Canadian women (second most common cancer in young Ontarians aged 15-34) years of age, and is mostly preventable. Don’t be one of them.

Click images above to view videos
Share these videos via YouTube

Download the audio PSA: English | French

Help protect minors from tanning beds by sending a letter to Parliament

Let your MP know that you support a ban on tanning under 18 to protect the health and well-being of our youth.

Cut and paste this form letter into an e-mail or print and mail it (no postage is required for mailing to an MP on Parliament Hill). Find out who your MP is, and get their e-mail address, here.

Health Canada Postition on UV Radiation

Tanning Dependence

Letter to Parliament

Indoor Tanning News

World Cancer Day:
February 4, 2010

MP Bezan Sponsors Bill to Expose Tanning Cancer Risks: Law to promote tougher labeling reules on radiation-emitting tannings beds

Tory MP targets tanning beds

Lawmakers Take Aim at Tanning Beds

Ontario’s Bill 83 An Act to Prevent Skin Cancer received second reading prohibition on selling or supplying tanning services or ultra-violet light treatment services to persons under the age of 19.

The Medical Society of P.E.I. wants to ban the use of artificial tanning equipment for people under the age of 18

US Tanning Association Settles Skin Cancer Case FTC charges group lied about skin cancer risks from tanning

Ottawa Coun. Alex Cullen wants teen tan banning

Tanning Beds – Highest Cancer Risk Category

Canadian Cancer Society (ON) calls for regulation of artificial tanning industry in Ontario 2008 Study confirms need for provincial legislation.

Doctors urge MPs to support Welsh sunbed ban

UK Sunbed bill gets Health Secretary backing. The private members bill for a ban on tanning under 18 would affect Wales and England.

FDA debates tougher cancer warning on tanning beds

New sunbed laws ban use by under-18s. Scotland bans the use of sunbeds by children in December 2009.

New tanning law for Texas teens. The new law, designed to protect teenagers who are unaware of the health dangers from tanning, became law in September.

Canadian Cancer Society Artificial Tanning: Policy Analysis

Tanning company fined $62,500 for making false health claims

US Senate’s health care bill calls for a 10 percent tax on tanning booth services Federal tax to reduce health costs by discouraging indoor tanning and thereby reducing the future costs of treating skin cancers.

France bans tanning under 18 in 1997

Germany bans tanning under 18

South Australia joins Victoria and Western Australia in tan ban

Indoor tanning under the age of 18 is prohibited in the province of New Brunswick, Canada (since 1992)

Skin cancer specialists looking for tanning bed bans

Tanning beds greatly boost melanoma risk, study finds