As of January 1, 2018, youth under 18 in Alberta will no longer be able to use tanning beds. The Artificial Tanning Act was passed by the Progressive Conservatives in March 2015, and the NDP have decided to enact it.
Once the ban is in effect, businesses won’t be allowed to provide UV artificial tanning services to minors, or advertise those services to them. They’ll also be required to post health warnings and age restrictions and self-serve tanning beds can’t be located in public places.
“Research has shown that using artificial tanning when you are under 35 dramatically increases your risk for melanoma,” explains Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman. “The changes we’re making will help protect our youth from a disease that affects hundreds of Albertans every year and gives Albertans better information about the risks of artificial tanning.”
At this point, Alberta is the only province in Canada that still allows people under 18 to use indoor tanning equipment. The government says skin cancer is the most common cancer in Alberta, accounting for more than one-third of all new cases.
Story by Erica Fisher.