About the Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013

On May 1, 2014, the Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013 took effect. The act bans youth under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stated that tanning bed use increases the risk of the deadliest form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. That risk is 75% higher if tanning bed use begins before the age of 35. This legislation reduces the likelihood of youth being exposed to UV radiation at a young age.

In summary, this legislation:

  • prohibits the sale, advertising and marketing of tanning services to youth under 18
  • requires that tanning bed operators request identification from anyone who appears under 25 years old
  • requires tanning bed operators to post signs stating the ban on minors and the health risks of tanning bed use
  • requires that all individuals using tanning beds are provided with protective eyewear
  • requires that all tanning bed operators provide written notice of their location and business contact information to their local Medical Officer of Health
  • sets fines for tanning bed owners/operators who fail to comply
  • authorizes inspectors to inspect and enforce these requirements

Tanning bed operators

The Skin Cancer Prevention Act requires that tanning bed operators oversee the following.

Prohibit the sale or provision of tanning services or ultraviolet light treatment for tanning to youth under 18

There are no exceptions to the prohibition of youth under the age of 18 to use a tanning bed or ultraviolet light treatment for tanning)

Request identification for individuals who appear to be less than 25 years old

Acceptable forms of identification are those that include a photo and date of birth of the customer and reasonably appear to have been issued by a government. These include:

  • a driver’s licence issued by the Province of Ontario with a photograph of the individual to whom the licence is issued
  • a Canadian passport
  • a Canadian citizenship card with a photograph of the individual to whom the card is issued
  • a Canadian Armed Forces identification card
  • a photo card issued by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario

Prohibit all tanning without the presence of an attendant (self-tanning)

  • The use of a tanning bed or ultraviolet light treatment for tanning requires the presence of an attendant. The attendant must be an employee who is trained in the proper operation of the device.

Restrict advertising and marketing targeted at people who are less than 18 years old or provide false or misleading information about the health effects or health risks of artificial tanning to people who are under 18 years old

  • Tanning bed operators (and other persons) are not permitted to advertise or market tanning bed or ultraviolet light treatment for tanning to anyone under age 18. This means that advertising in publications targeted to youth with youth as a primary audience (for example, advertising in school yearbooks) are not permitted. Advertising and marketing tanning bed or ultraviolet light treatment for tanning is also prohibited in areas where youth are the primary audience (for example, children’s festivals). Using children’s cartoon characters in advertising or marketing would also be prohibited.
  • Misleading advertising or marketing about the health effects or health risks of artificial tanning to anyone under 18 years of age is prohibited.

Require the use of protective eyewear for all clients, instruct clients on the proper use of protective eyewear, and provide eyewear for use or sale

In the case where reusable protective eyewear is provided to clients, the eyewear must be cleaned and disinfected between uses.

  • Only protective eyewear that was specifically designed for tanning bed use in federal regulations under the Radiation Emitting Devices Act is permitted. Protective eyewear must fit the client properly; it should be snug but not uncomfortable. Never allow the use of cracked, pitted or discoloured eyewear.
  • If reusing protective eyewear, the eyewear must be cleaned between client uses with an appropriate disinfectant and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Notify the medical officer of health at your local public health unit of business details

Notify your public health unit of the business name, address and telephone number of the establishment where tanning services or ultraviolet light treatments will be sold (or if you have an existing establishment).

Signs for retailers

The Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013 (O. reg. 99/14) requires the following signs to be posted:

Point of sale warning sign

Must be posted in plain view within one metre of each cash register where tanning services or ultraviolet light treatments for tanning are sold.

Download the Point of sale warning sign here.

Health warning sign

Must be posted in plain view within one metre of each piece of equipment used to provide tanning services or ultraviolet light treatments for tanning.

Download the Health warning sign here.

Age restriction and identification decal

Must be unobstructed and posted immediately above or in close proximity to the handle on every entrance door of the establishment where the treatments or services are provided; in the absence of a handle it must be placed in the middle of the door; if the door is not visible when the establishment is open for business, it must be posted within one metre of each entrance.

Download the Age restriction and identification decal here.

Employee reminder decal

This must be clearly visible to the employee at the cash register to remind an employee that tanning services and ultraviolet light treatment for tanning is illegal for anyone under 18 years old, that they must check ID for anyone who appears to be under 25 years old, and that all customers must wear protective eyewear.

Download the Employee reminder decal here.