Ban Kids from Tanning Salons

The Quebec branch of the Canadian Cancer Society is supporting a call from its B.C. counterpart,  for kids under 18 to be banned from tanning salons.

Under proposed legislation in B.C.,  salon tanning would not be allowed for underaged youth, even with permission from their parents.

B.C. cancer officials note that preventing teens from using tanning equipment isn't much different from banning kids from other harmful substances, like cigarettes and alcohol.

The World Health Organization also strongly supports such a ban.

The Canadian Cancer Society says tanning is causing significant damage to the skin and increasing the risk of skin cancer which has become most common form of cancer among Canadians.. with rates going up 1-2-percent a year. Spokesman André Beaulieu tells CJAD news young people are especially at risk for skin cancer because their fragile skin burns more easily.

He also notes that people who use tanning equipment absorb 5 times more rays than if they were exposed to natural sunlight.  And, what's worse, those who go to tanning salons, don't protect themselves with sunscreen.