News

The tanning bed industry is failing to warn consumers about the potential health risks of artificial tanning and doesn't seem to prevent young teens from using them, despite warnings from Health Canada, according to a study released today by the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Ontario branch of the society is calling for a ban on people under 18 using tanning beds in the province and for restrictions on the marketing and advertising of tanning salons.

"The results of our study were very disturbing," said Rowena Pinto, senior director of public affairs at the society's Ontario branch, which commissioned the study. "Some type of legislation and enforcement is required."

The findings also indicate the need for stronger government regulation to protect people from possible overexposure to harmful ultraviolet rays that could increase their risk of developing skin cancer, she said.

"What we do know is the more a child is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the higher their chances of developing cancer. This is very important to our call for a ban," Ms. Pinto said.

Although the tanning bed industry is largely unregulated, Health Canada has voluntary guidelines for businesses, including that children under 16 should not use tanning beds and that people with sensitive skin should be warned of the potential risks of overexposure and skin damage.

However, the cancer society reported that few tanning salons included in the study followed Health Canada's guidelines.

The study, conducted by a market research firm, recruited participants to pose as potential first-time clients at 79 tanning salons in Toronto. The participants were not told the study was being conducted by the Canadian Cancer Society, in order to ensure the results were unbiased. For health reasons, however, the individuals involved in the survey were told not to actually use the tanning beds because of the carcinogenic risks associated with ultraviolet rays.

Although the survey was carried out in Ontario, Ms. Pinto said the results are probably applicable across the country.

"Ontario being the biggest province, these [results] definitely do point to a disturbing potential trend," she said.

Nearly two-thirds of tanning facilities failed to ask the age of minors under age 16. And even when they did find out the potential client was under 16, just over half were still prepared to let them use the tanning beds, according to the cancer society.

Despite Health Canada's warning that people with sensitive skin, which is vulnerable to burns, should avoid tanning beds, 99 per cent of businesses did not advise fair-skinned study participants against using their tanning facilities.

Health Canada also advises businesses to place warning labels on tanning equipment telling consumers about the potential risks of ultraviolet radiation. However, the labels were only visible at 12 per cent of businesses checked.

In addition, nearly all - 96 per cent - of the salons failed to mention Health Canada's safety guidelines to potential customers.

"Legislation is needed. Voluntary guidelines aren't working," Ms. Pinto said.

But the Joint Canadian Tanning Association, which represents the tanning industry, argued its members are responsible and take the health of clients very seriously.

There are about 5,000 tanning salons across Canada, and most have received some form of certification under programs created and operated by the tanning industry, said Steve Gilroy, the association's executive director.

While the industry is willing to discuss potential changes with government officials or other groups, Mr. Gilroy said it doesn't seem necessary to impose bans or sweeping restrictions. He said young people are not a major part of their business, and that most salons require parental consent before they allow young people to use their facilities.

"We think parents have the right to make the decision," he said. "What our policy has always been has been to go with what the public really wants."

While the survey found that few tanning establishments asked the age of the young participants, Mr. Gilroy said they probably would have done so if the clients had stayed to receive a tanning session.

Most tanning salons fill out client cards, which include the client's age, before a person can use the tanning bed, he said. But since the individuals involved in the survey did not actually use the tanning beds, they wouldn't have had to fill out a card, Mr. Gilroy said.

Imposing harsh restrictions on the tanning industry could actually backfire because more people may start tanning outdoors in an uncontrolled environment instead of in a tanning salon, where they are supervised by a trained staff member, Mr. Gilroy said.

However, Ms. Pinto said the government should take action to create tougher restrictions on tanning facilities to prevent Canadians, and young people in particular, from taking potential health risks. The survey's findings demonstrate "the grand majority of tanning facilities in Toronto are not following the voluntary guidelines which are in place, which strengthens our call for legislation," she said.