Health Canada is all set to strengthen its health warnings about the dangers of tanning beds by introducing new labels on them linking to their use to skin cancer.
Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq said the Harper Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadian families.
"Young adults should be concerned about the health risks associated with the use of tanning beds, including skin cancer. Today, we are proposing changes that would require all tanning beds to display a health warning label to remind Canadians of those risks," Aglukkaq said.
The latest announcement follows the posting of proposed amendments to the labeling requirements for tanning equipment under the Radiation Emitting Devices (RED) Regulations.
As per the proposed changes, all tanning beds should display a health warning label with the messages that read: "Not recommended for use by those under 18 years of age"; "Tanning Equipment Can Cause Cancer."
The labels will also warn that the indoor tanning beds can cause skin as well as eye burns and have a damaging effect increasingly when used over a period of time.
Stronger labeling and clearer information about the dangers of tanning beds is expected to cut down the number of young Canadians exposed to the carcinogen.
