OTTAWA -- It's not yet moving to the sometimes hideous pictorial warning labels seen on cigarette packaging, but Ottawa wants to get the message across that tanning beds can be hazardous to your health.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says Health Canada will soon require all tanning beds to carry warnings about skin cancer and other potential dangers.

The proposed changes come after several provinces moved to prevent the use of tanning beds by young people.

Nova Scotia already bans people under 19 from using tanning beds and Manitoba requires written parental consent before anyone under 18 can use them.

Earlier this month, legislation took effect that would ban those under 18 from using tanning beds in Quebec. Ontario and British Columbia have announced plans for similar laws. Using indoor tanning equipment before age 35 significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer, according to research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Canada's proposed tanning-bed labels don't forbid their use, but warn the devices are "not recommended for use by those under 18 years of age."

The labels would also read: "tanning equipment can cause cancer," and carry a list of other health risks associated with tanning.

A public comment period on the proposals will close in early May with regulations expected to be posted later this year.

 

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 25, 2013 A8