Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about the need for some type of regulation over tanning equipment, whether it’s beds, booths or even lamps that people use for cosmetic purposes. The risk out there is not only well known but it’s certainly proven. My question for the Minister of Health and Social Services today is: Is his department aware of the types of risks associated with indoor tanning and if they are, what are they doing out there to protect our youth? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the department is aware of the dangers of sun tanning on a tanning bed, and the department is currently developing regulations under the Public Health Act. Thank you.
When is it anticipated that the regulations will be coming forward for some type of dialogue, whether it is through MLAs or certainly out to the public? There is public out there who do want these types of things. They would certainly find that this is good news that this is something being worked on by the government. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the regulations will include banning the use of tanning beds by minors and also requiring an establishment to have health warnings posted, and those regulations are expected to be done early this summer and enforced within six months. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, that is certainly good news by all accounts. When can we expect some type of public dialogue on this change of thinking? I don’t believe that tanning is a good thing, but many people will want some type of public discussion on this, at least information on the issues and changes coming forward. Quite simply put, is there a public component to the shifts in policy thinking? How does the public get more information? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure we are going to do public consultation on the changes to the public act concerning sun tanning, but we can provide other methods of communications to the public on these changes. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wouldn’t want the Minister to mix this point up, which is I am certainly in favour of the regulation change. But wouldn’t legislation be more of a smarter approach, as well, as it almost seems as if the public is going to be told this is not allowed anymore as opposed to be informed or given a little bit of information in advance? It seems counterproductive for the style of government we would normally have. It seems as if the public component is being left out. I am happy with the direction but my point has been made. Thank you.
I think that it’s going to be like banning minors from using the beds and there will be warnings posted for others who continue to use it. Individuals for that will be advised that they are not allowed to use the beds or just warn that using the beds could be an issue. We will be communicating that through a press release or something of that nature as opposed to taking this legislation on the road. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
