Melanoma Network of Canada Succeeds with Peel Region on introducing a by-law to ban youth from tanning salons
OAKVILLE, ON, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The Melanoma Network of Canada was
present today when the Region of Peel, which includes Mississauga,
Brampton and Caledon, became the first region and second location in
Ontario to ban minors from using commercial tanning beds.
Annette Cyr, Chair and founder of the Melanoma Network of Canada
intially approached Councillor Bonnie Crombie of the City of Missisauga
in May to request a by-law to promote and protect minors under the age
of 18 years from the use of ultraviolet (UV) emitting devices at indoor
tanning facilities. "We feel strongly that all governments have a duty
to take action to protect youth from harmful UV rays," said Cyr. "The
public needs to be aware of the risks posed for everyone, but most
particularly our youth. I commend Peel Region, and Councillor Crombie
in particular, for taking a stand and moving forward with this by-law
without delay."
The Region of Peel's by-law contains significant fines, including
$10,000 for the first offence and $25,000 fines for subsequent
offences. Enforcement will be done through municipal enforcement
officers, or public health inspectors acting under the direction of the
Medical Officer of Health.
"I am delighted that Peel Region has unanimously moved this important
legislation to protect our youth from the serious effects of exposure
to UV rates in tanning beds." says Mississauga Councillor Bonnie
Crombie. "The science is compelling and Council knew that if we
delayed any longer, we would risk exposing more of our youth to
dangerous ultraviolet rays. Today's decision is a significant step in
the fight against skin cancer."
On September 14th, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced plans to adopt NDP Health Critic,
France Gélinas' Private Member's bill which aims to ban youth under 18
from using indoor tanning equipment throughout the Province of
Ontario. On August 13th, the Town of Oakville at the request of the Melanoma Network became the
first municipality in Ontario to ban teens from indoor tanning.
Research by the World Health Organization, among many other health
bodies, indicates that the use of tanning beds poses significant health
risks, particularly in children and youth, increasing the tisk of
developing melanoma or other skin cancers by up to 75 percent. Health
Canada warns that indoor tanning beds generate about five times the
amount of UVA radiation produced by the sun and are not a safe means of
producing vitamin D, despite myths to the contrary.
For information on melanoma or to get involved, please visit us at www.melanomanetwork.ca.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, and can affect
anyone regardless of sex, age or race.1 It is one of the most frequently-diagnosed cancers in Canada, affecting
5,800 people in 2012 and causing 970 deaths.
The incidence of melanoma has been increasing for the past 30 years,2 more rapidly among men than any other cancer, and more rapidly among
women than any other cancer except lung cancer.3
About the Melanoma Network Canada (MNC)
Melanoma Network Canada (MNC) is a patient-led organization dedicated to
the prevention and elimination of melanoma. Established in 2009 by a
small group of patients and caregivers, the MNC works in collaboration
with medical professionals, health care agencies and other stakeholders
to educate, advocate and fund for early diagnosis and effective
treatment of melanoma, education, prevention and awareness programs,
relevant and innovative research, support for patients and an improved
quality of life for those living with melanoma.
1 Melanoma Network of Canada. Facts Summary. Available at: http://melanomanetwork.ca/page.php?page=14. Accessed August 8, 2012.
2 Public Health Agency of Canada. Melanoma Skin Cancer Facts and Figures.
Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/cancer/melanoma_skin_cancer_figures-cancer_peau_melanome_figures-eng.php. Accessed August 8, 2012.
3 Horn-Ross, P.L., Holly, E.A., Brown, S.R., et al. Temporal trends in
the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma among Caucasians in the
San Francisco-Oakland MSA. Canc Causes Contr.1991; 2(5):299-305.
SOURCE Melanoma Network of Canada
