Indoor tanning

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, but it’s also one of the most preventable. Exposure to UV rays – whether from the sun’s rays, tanning beds or sun lamps – increases the risk for non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. There is no safe way to get a tan. To reduce your risk of getting skin cancer, do not use artificial tanning equipment such as tanning beds or sun lamps.

More on indoor tanning

• Our position

  The Society is committed to protecting Canadians from the harms of indoor tanning.

  • People under the age of 18 must not be allowed by law to use indoor tanning equipment.
  • Indoor tanning advertising aimed at people under the age of 18 must be banned.
  • Indoor tanning regulations must require UV-emitting devices to be registered, staff to be licensed, and equipment and premises to be inspected regularly.
  • UV-emitting devices must be labelled in a way that clearly explains the health risks.
  • The indoor tanning industry must stop using misleading phrases such as safe, no harmful rays, no adverse effects or similar wording.