Warning teens about tanning

 

On May 7th, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health held a launch event for a video produced by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) involving teens from our region. 

The video, Epic Tan Fail, is part of a larger social media campaign called Enjoy the Skin You’re In, targeted at youth between the ages of 16 and 18 in Eastern Ontario. 

The campaign is using the Epic Tan Fail video, as well as other YouTube videos, a Facebook page and an “app” that mimics the effects of tanning, to raise awareness among youth about the dangers and undesirable effects of indoor tanning. 

In addition to causing eye damage and premature aging of the skin, use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most common types of cancer in young Ontarians aged 15 to 29. It’s also one of the most preventable.

The Epic Tan Fail video uses humour to deliver its message, with the aim of reducing indoor tanning among youth and promoting the health benefits and beauty of natural skin colour. 

“We’re proud to participate in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the health risks of indoor tanning,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. 

“We hope the video will put the adverse physical effects of indoor tanning in perspective for youth.”

The EOHU would like to thank the staff and students at North Dundas District High School for their support and assistance with the Epic Tan Fail video.

The Enjoy the Skin You’re In campaign was spearheaded by Ottawa Public Health in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Care Ontario, the EOHU, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, and Renfrew County and District Health Unit.

Epic Tan Fail is available on the EOHU’s youth website at www.MeMag.ca. For more information about the campaign, visit www.facebook.com/YourSkin.

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