In an editorial published on Huffington Post Canada yesterday, Canadian Constitution Foundation Litigation Director Karen Selick presents a strong case in opposition of teen tan bans. She argues that the scientific evidence used to attack tanning does not warrant a ban and that the benefits of tanning are being ignored.

“Science makes continual discoveries and advances that make our previous ‘knowledge’ look like folly,” Selick writes. “All too often, we have allowed governments to make health decisions for us that have turned out to be dead wrong.”

Selick explains that the research on tanning beds and melanoma does not support the need for a ban, describing how rare melanoma in young people is and clarifying that research used to back bans actually shows little increase in absolute risk of melanoma.

“The truth is that the actual risk (not the percentage increase in risk) of young people getting melanoma is tiny — almost negligible — compared with the risks of everyday activities that we don’t think twice about allowing kids to engage in,” she writes. “We could prevent far more teen deaths and injuries by outlawing teenaged skating, swimming, bicycling and driving than by outlawing teenaged tanning.”

Selick also contends that while those who support bans focus intently on the risks, the benefits of tanning are being overlooked. She describes the importance of vitamin D, saying that two-thirds of Canadians are vitamin D deficient and the many common chronic diseases with which deficiency is associated. She also discusses recent research from dermatologist Richard Weller that suggests that UV exposure has benefits to cardiovascular health independent of vitamin D.

The Canadian Constitution Foundation is a registered charity that acts as a voice for freedom in Canada’s courtrooms and law schools. Selick is the group’s litigation director and previously held a private law practice. Her columns have appeared in many notable magazine and newspapers.

Click here to read the article.

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