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.

Indoor tanning in Quebec

Protecting Quebecers from the harmful effects of artificial tanning

On February 11, 2013, An Act to prevent skin cancer caused by artificial tanning, for which the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) – Quebec Division fought so passionately, entered into force. Click here to find out about other gains made by the CCS to protect Quebecers from the harmful effects of artificial UV rays.

Despite the fact that in 15 years the number of melanomas in Quebec has doubled and the social costs of all skin cancers put together have reached nearly $100 million in 2004, the sale of artificial tanning services is still not taxed.Click here to find out about the CCS – Quebec Division’s demands.