Local priorities
Keeping the health of children and families a priority for government
The Canadian Cancer Society is working to ensure that cancer and the health of children and families are top priorities for BC's Government.
To improve the health of children, urgently reduce the burden of cancer and other chronic diseases facing families, and ensure the health care system is sustainable, the Canadian Cancer Society is calling on all political parties to make a commitment to three priorities:
Increase tobacco control measures
Tobacco consumption is the largest single preventable cause of death and disease, killing more than 5,600 British Columbians each year.
Reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens
The Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon is advocating for provincial legislation that would ban the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides across BC (pesticides used to improve the appearance of non-agricultural landscaping such as lawns, gardens, parks, shrubs and sports fields).
To date, 40 municipalities have introduced local restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private lands. However, municipalities can only control the use of pesticides, not the sale, and many British Columbians are still unprotected because there are municipalities without restrictions in place.
Because cosmetic pesticides can pose a health risk to people, particularly children, we are asking the BC Government for new legislation that:
- Prohibits the use, sale and retail display of chemical cosmetic pesticides (used on lawns and gardens and non-agricultural landscaping).
- Allows exemptions only to protect public health.
- Has effective means for enforcement and provides for public education about the ban and alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Learn how to reduce your exposure to pesticides with these handy tips and tools:
Protect youth from excess UV radiation
Following advocacy efforts by the Society, the BC Government announced that youth under 18 would be banned from using tanning beds.
The Canadian Cancer Society acknowledges the strength and impact of our volunteers and supporters, and together we maintain a strong voice. Join the Canadian Cancer Society in asking for government to put a stop to the sale and use of cosmetic chemical pesticides in 2012. You can take action now.
Visit www.cancergameplan.ca for more information.