P.G. Teens Subject of Anti-Tanning Project

Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:01 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The Canadian Cancer Society B.C. Yukon Division Prince George office is making moves to convince young people to keep clear of tanning beds.

Late last night, the Capital Regional District (CRD) which includes Victoria and several other communities, voted 18-1 in favour of a new bylaw which bans the use of tanning beds by anyone under the age of 18. Studies show the use of tanning beds by anyone under the age of 35, increases the risk of melanoma by at least 75%. Tanning bed use by young people has also been declared a known carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

In Prince George, the Canadian Cancer Society applauds the decision by the CRD . Kerenza Medhurst, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Prince George office says in this community , they have started a project to make this year’s graduation and prom celebrations “tan free” “We’ve engaged the five high schools and student leaders within those high schools to promote peer education so this year’s prom will be tan free”. Students are encouraged to celebrate their natural skin tone and make a pledge to stay tan free. The project offers prizes and incentives to those who honour their pledge.

Medhurst says the Cancer Society is asking the Province to make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use tanning beds, and hopes there will be strong penalties for facilities which violate any new rules and regulations. Medhurst says while there is no current effort to press the City of Prince George to adopt a bylaw similar to what was passed in Victoria, she says this is a municipal election year, and it is possible the Cancer Society could make support of a similar bylaw an election issue.

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Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:01 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on January 13 2011 12:45 PM

Tan free, drug free, alcohol free, gang free, smoke free???? Boring!!!

Posted by: ram tough perineum on January 13 2011 12:46 PM

Maybe the Cancer Society can lobby the province to make it illegal to be outside on sunny days, too... Enough with the nanny state nonsense.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on January 13 2011 2:28 PM

Well I would think it would be worse for people as they get older rather younger. Reason being is that as you age your skin get more sensitive to the big C word.

Posted by: porter on January 13 2011 3:56 PM

Interesting paradox, Tanning beds will produce Vit D which fights cancer, in this area we are all Vit D deficient during the winter months.

Posted by: acrider54 on January 13 2011 4:27 PM

Too many laws, bylaws! We have laws for everything because we are too stupid to look after ourselves I guess. Geeesh it's pretty cold out there I better put on my gloves. Be a law for that pretty soon too.