Alberta, a province in Canada, is running an anti-tanning campaign “The Big Burn” which warns young people about the health dangers of visiting indoor tanning salons. The next step is to ban indoor tanning for people under 18, however this has yet to be decided by the government. An indoor tanning legislation will be put forward by the government this spring.
One of the main reasons for pushing this legislation through are the shocking statistics. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, last year 5800 Canadians were diagnosed with melanoma and sadly 970 people died.
Indoor tanning is especially popular among young people. The figures indicate 47% of Albertans between the ages of 18 to 65, have used an indoor tanning booth in the past
Some scary facts:
- Using tanning equipment before the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma by 59%.
- 10 tanning sessions can DOUBLE the risk for melanoma.
- Using the indoor tanning beds is more dangerous than going to the beach. Tanning beds radiate 10 to 15 times more UVA than the midday sun.
- About 90% of all skin cancers are somehow related to solar and/or artificial ultraviolet radiation.
Alberta is not the only place where people have recognized the importance of protecting young people from skin cancer. In 2009 The World Health Organization issued the EUROSKIN recommendation legislation which included a suggestion to ban people under 18 years of age from using artificial tanning salons.
Currently, there are numerous countries acting on behalf of this recommendation including: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and 12 US states. Canadian territories including Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland,Labrador,Prince Edward Island and the Northwest have all banned those who are under 18 from using indoor tanning services.
Alberta will perhaps soon follow suit.