A new study by consumer watchdog Option consommateurs said many Quebec tanning salons are regularly breaking the law.
Last year, the province made it illegal for anyone under 18 to use tanning beds in salons, but, in spite of that, it seems many minors are still using them.
Option consommateurs discovered this, by entering salons with people under 18 and asking to use the beds. They say 8 out of 10 salons didn't ask for ID and let the teenagers enter.
Those who allow minors to using tanning beds face fines of anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000.
In addition, they say most tanning salons do not apply the regulations that Health Canada has asked them to.
- They don't post warning signs on the beds
- They don't give out the correct information about how harmful tanning could be.
- They say that's proof that the industry is turning a blind eye on these regulations.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, and is believed to be caused by ultraviolet radiation in 90 per cent of cases.
"We would like to see more inspectors in the field to see that the law is applied." said Olivier Bourgeois of Option consommateurs. "If the law is not enforced, it will not be applied."
The government needs to launch an awareness campaign to show that tanning beds can be harmful, said Bourgeois.
