Going out to get a tan in Victoria could soon feel a lot like heading to the bar if a proposal to ban underage patrons from tanning salons is passed into law.

The Capital Regional District is considering a bylaw that would ban people under 18 from using tanning beds, and would require identification from anyone who appears under 25.

The bylaw is a response to growing concerns in recent years that tanning among young people significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, the chief medical health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, says governments need to step in to protect young people from the damaging artificial rays of tanning beds.

The Canadian Cancer Society and other groups have intensified efforts in recent years to convince governments to ban teens from tanning facilities.

But few governments in Canada have any laws or regulations in place to regulate the industry — instead allowing the industry to set its own rules.

Doug McNabb of the Joint Canadian Tanning Association opposes the bylaw, suggesting a better approach would be to require parental consent before minors are allowed to tan.