CRD Teen Tanning Ban Reaction Mixed - Salons North Of Malahat Expect Bump In Business

VICTORIA - Angie Woodhead's back to work at Cabana Tan hours after finding out people under eighteen will be banned from using her beds. She says she's all for regulating the industry to make it safer - but not this way. "I actually cannot think of a single client I have downtown right now who is under the age of 18."
After a four and a half hour hearing Wednesday, the Capital Regional District voted to keep most teens away from indoor beds. The island's Chief Medical Health Officer has been pushing the idea since 2005 and finally emerged victorious. "I think the Canadian Cancer Society and in particular the youth of this region are to be commended. People should be pleased because the leaders of tomorrow have already spoken" says Dr. Richard Stanwick.
The ban is expected to go into effect within a few months, after the province signs off on it. At that point salon operators will have to ask for I.D. and if they're caught letting in underage tanners, could face fines from $250-$2000.
Not all salon owners are against the ban. One shop in Cobble Hill,a 30 minute drive from the CRD says it will be keeping people under the age of eighteen out of its beds voluntarily. The owner of Oasis in Cobble Hill says she's never allowed teens in without a parent's consent, and now won't at all. "I'm obviously in the beauty industry, but something that's going to cause skin cancer...you have to have two pieces of I.D. verifying you're 18 or you don't get in the tanner" says Oasis owner Cara McLeod.
But others tell us they are expecting a bump in business, that the short drive north of the Malahat for some young people will prove too tempting. "I think people who like to tan do it for a lot of different reasons and I absolutely think it will increase if they're told they can't tan there they'll go where they can" says Renee Battryn, Owner of Freestyle Salon in Mill Bay.
The tanning industry expects the ban will soon stretch the length of the island and across the province. But for now, only Capital Region teens in search of a tan will have to rely on the sun - or a road trip.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• /A\ News
• Vancouver Island
• Victoria British Columbia
• Capital Regional District
• Tanning ban
• Andrew Johnson