The Town of Oakville has become the first municipality in Ontario to ban minors from using indoor tanning beds and booths.
Oakville town councillors voted unanimously in favour of the ban, which applies to those under 18, at a meeting Monday night because of health concerns, including skin cancer.
Councillors said they hope the vote sends a message to Queen’s Park to bring in similar rules province-wide.
There are about a dozen salons in Oakville that have tanning beds.
Businesses that don't comply with the new bylaw could face a fine or the loss of their licence.
Similar rules in place elsewhere
Similar rules are already in place at the provincial level in Nova Scotia, while Quebec, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador introduced legislation to that effect earlier this year.
In Ontario, the NDP's health critic has a private member's bill with the same goal, and a Conservative MP tabled a private member's bill this spring in Parliament.
All aim to curb the rate of melanoma and other skin cancers among the young.
The Canadian Cancer Society says exposure to indoor tanning before the age of 35 increases the danger of melanoma by 75 per cent.
With files from The Canadian Press
Remember, for instant breaking news, follow @CP24 on Twitter.
