The Department of Health and Wellness is regulating the use of tanning beds for people under 18 after discovering low levels of operator compliance with the guidelines issued last December, Health Minister Doug Currie says.
In December, Minister Currie stated publically he was looking for 100 per cent compliance with the guidelines.
“Our province has one of the highest rates of Melanoma in the country – when I said 100 per cent, I meant 100 per cent compliance, anything less is simply not good enough,” Currie said.
An audit to monitor compliance with the guidelines was conducted Spring 2012 which demonstrated relatively low levels of compliance with some of the guidelines. Thirty tanning salons were audited of which 44% recorded the age of clients, 26% recorded the skin types of clients and 52% recorded length and type of exposure.
A review and update of the Radiation Safety Regulations is to take place Summer/Fall 2012. This will include regulation of tanning salons.
These new regulations for tanning salon owners, operators and users will ensure the public is more aware of health risks related to tanning bed use and will better protect young Islanders from the dangerous effects of ultraviolet exposure.
The guidelines were to provide guidance and direction to owners and staff of tanning facilities. This included informing and assisting the public in the safe use of tanning devices, assessing skin type and skin conditions of clients prior to each tanning session, and advising clients on signs and symptoms of adverse reactions.
The guidelines were also aimed at enabling informed consent procedure. This would ensure clients are educated and understand the risks associated with tanning, as well as the procedure, requirements and precautions to be taken during the tanning session. The guidelines also restricted indoor tanning use for those under 18 years of age. Salons were also required to display mandatory health warnings about the risks of ultraviolet radiation.
In 2009, the World Health Organization released statements indicating:
• Tanning services are a Class 1 cause of cancer in humans; and
• Using tanning devices before 30 years of age increase the risk of cancer by 45 per cent.
“We know ultraviolet radiation exposure can lead to skin aging and skin cancer,” said Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Public Health Officer for Prince Edward Island. “We need to work together to ensure the public is more informed on the risks associated with tanning beds and we need to protect those who are at highest risk of cancer.”