Tanning beds part of P.E.I. public health review

Tanning beds could soon be regulated on P.E.I., says the province's chief health officer.

'We know that P.E.I. certainly has very high rates of skin cancer.' — Dr. Heather Morrison

The Island government is reviewing its Public Health Act, and Dr. Heather Morrison wants tanning beds included in regulations that cover the use of devices that emit radiation, such as X-ray machines.

"We have had concerns about tanning beds, so we have already asked that tanning beds be included in that review of the radiation safety regulations," Morrison told CBC News Thursday.

"We know that P.E.I. certainly has very high rates of skin cancer."  

Tanning beds were the subject of an article published in the medical journal Lancet Oncology this week. It concluded tanning beds and sun lamps are carcinogenic. That prompted the World Health Organization to upgrade its health warning for the devices to the highest level, along with cigarette smoke.

Morrison said it was too early to say what kinds of regulations P.E.I. might impose.

New Brunswick is the only province in Canada that restricts the use of tanning beds. Those under the age of 18 aren't allowed to use them. The Canadian Cancer Society asked the New Brunswick government this week for an explanation of how that ban is enforced.