TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Cancer Society volunteers and staff are celebrating the passing of legislation that will prohibit youth under 18 from accessing tanning beds in Ontario.
Bill 30 underwent third reading yesterday and was passed as the Skin Cancer Prevention Act in the Ontario Legislature today.
"I'm happy that we finally have legislation that will protect youth from skin cancer," says Kate Neale, 23, a melanoma cancer survivor and Society volunteer. The Belleville native worked at a tanning salon and used indoor tanning extensively as a young teen. Kate was in the Legislature today to watch history in the making.
"When I was diagnosed with melanoma, I wanted to stop every young person from indoor tanning. I joined the Canadian Cancer Society and the #tanbedban movement to advocate for legislation banning indoor tanning for youth because it was my hope to make a difference. That hope has become reality," Neale says.
The Society has been placing the issue of indoor tanning and youth on the political agenda since 2005. That year, Society volunteers met with MPPs at Queen's Park to inform them about the dangers associated with indoor tanning, particularly for youth, and to push for provincial indoor tanning legislation in Ontario. Since then, volunteers have been back at Queen's Park, met with MPPs, participated in numerous letter-writing campaigns as well as made deputations at municipal council meetings, successfully helping to pass three indoor tanning bylaws across the province.
"Today a clear message has been sent that indoor tanning is not safe and we know that it causes skin cancer. For more than seven years, we've mobilized volunteers, donors and staff to fight for a ban on indoor tanning for youth in Ontario," says Martin Kabat, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "We applaud all three political parties who have worked together to pass this historic provincial legislation."
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website, www.cancer.ca or call toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.
Image with caption: "At Queen's Park after the passing of the Skin Cancer Prevention Act, (l-r) Ralph Neale (Kate's father), Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Kate Neale, Health Minister Deb Matthews, Diana Neale (Kate's mother), and Trish Martin (Kate's aunt). (CNW Group/Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131009_C8605_PHOTO_EN_31895.jpg
Image with caption: "Canadian Cancer Society staff members Florentina G. Stancu-Soare (left) and Joanne Di Nardo (right) stand with volunteer Kate Neale and Health Minister Deb Matthews. (CNW Group/Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131009_C8605_PHOTO_EN_31896.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division)
Media contacts
Daniel Paquette
dpPR
Cell: 416 559-2694
Tel: 416 413-7714
[email protected]
Christine Koserski
Public Affairs
Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division
416-323-7030
[email protected]
Share this article