The Liberals say the government needs to do more to prevent children from using tanning beds. (Canadian Press)

New Brunswick’s Liberal party has issued a challenge to the Progressive Conservative government to ban children from using tanning beds.

Don Arseneault, the Liberal’s health critic, said the Health Minister should be the one to table a bill when the Legislature returns next week that would seen people under 19 blocked from the beds.

“I would like to look at the prevention side: how we can reduce future health care costs, and a lot of focus needs to happen on children,” he said.

The challenge drew a quick reaction from Health Minister Ted Flemming, who said he’s open to the idea.

Flemming said there’s a reason for age restrictions on driving and voting, and there should be similar restrictions for tanning beds.

“In the context of good medicine, any issue that’s going to make New Brunswickers healthier is worthy of having a hard look at,” said Flemming.

But Flemming didn’t go so far as to commit to new legislation. Wednesday, he said he would take a legitimate look at it.

The Canadian Cancer Society and the province's doctors have both called for such a ban. New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health said the risk of skin cancer is significant, especially among young people.