Province studying tanning regulations for teens

The province might be moving closer to legislating who can use indoor tanning salons.

It's something advocacy groups say is long overdue.

When it comes to teens and indoor tanning, the legislation varies from province to province.

But in Alberta, legislation doesn't exist — at least not yet.

CBC News has learned the province's Health Department has created a Science Advisory Committee to look at the risks.

In an email, the department says there is "consensus on the need for artificial tanning regulations" to protect Albertans aged 18 and under.

Alberta is one of the last provinces to look into it says Sarah Hawkins, a public policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society.

She says her group wasn't asked to sit on the committee but that they did know about these behind-the-scenes discussions.

“They have told us that they are in the process of building recommendations that they will be submitting to the health minister,” said Sarah.

The health department says all options are on the table as they consider what to do next.

Hawkins says the best next step would be an outright ban for Albertans 18 and under.

Big Box Advertisement

Obesity now recognized as a disease: The American Medical Association has voted to recognize obesity as a disease, while doctors in Canada say they also treat it as such. more »

Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy: Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series The Sopranos, has died while vacationing in Rome, the network said on Wednesday. more »
Canada buys rare War of 1812 collection for $573K: The government of Canada was the winning bidder for a large collection of letters, maps and other papers that once belonged to Sir John Sherbrooke, the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia who conquered Maine for the British during the War of 1812. The collection sold for $573,000 at auction in London. more »
Caregiving dads pay steep penalties at work, study says: Fathers who participate in child rearing and housework are likely to be labeled slackers and "failed men" at work, according to a study spearheaded by researchers at the University of Toronto and Long Island University. Are active dads the norm at your workplace? more »
Dozens of children seized from Manitoba Mennonite community: Child welfare authorities have removed all but one child from a small Mennonite community in rural Manitoba. more »

Public health approach to bullying and suicide prevention urged: Bullying is a public health problem that can be prevented to improve the health of young people, researchers say. more »

Obesity now recognized as a disease: The American Medical Association has voted to recognize obesity as a disease, while doctors in Canada say they also treat it as such. more »
Are e-cigarettes safe to puff?: As electronic or e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some health advocates want them to be regulated. more »
Fredericton teen attends prom despite serious allergies: A Fredericton high school student went to her prom on Tuesday night, despite the threat that one waft of perfume could have serious consequences. more »
Starbucks rolls out calorie info on U.S. store menus: Starbucks will start posting calorie counts on its menu boards in American stores next week, before federal legislation changes to require the coffee chain to do so. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is mulling over regulation that would force franchises with more than 20 locations to post nutritional information. more »