TORONTO - The Canadian Cancer Society wants all political parties in Ontario to commit to legislating restrictions on indoor tanning by those under 18.
The society says an Ipsos Reid poll conducted earlier this month indicates 83 per cent of Ontario residents support a ban on indoor tanning by youths.
Nova Scotia and the city of Victoria have already enacted legislation, while Sarnia, Ont., city council has been asked to take action on indoor tanning.
Spokeswoman Joanne Di Nardo says the society is calling on all political parties to make a commitment to restrict tanning by teens and advertising by indoor tanning companies directed at youth.
Di Nardo says it's crucial for the next government of Ontario to take action to protect the health of youth who are exposing themselves to a known human carcinogen.
Indoor tanning equipment can emit ultraviolet radiation at levels that are five times stronger than the midday summer sun.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified tanning equipment as a known carcinogen putting it in the highest cancer risk category.
People should avoid indoor tanning and it should be banned altogether for young people, said Dr. Cheryl Rosen, head of dermatology at Toronto Western Hospital.
"There is no safe way to tan," Rosen said.
Melanoma skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for youth between 15 and 29.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that using a tanning bed before the age of 35 can increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer by as much as 75 per cent.
The society also wants the next Ontario government to take action on environmental and occupational carcinogens, and access to cancer drugs.
