Tanning beds should be banned in South Africa to save lives, the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) says.
"Over exposure to the extreme heat of the sun on people who are under the age of 18 leads to an increased risk of cancer in later life," Cansa CEO Sue Janse van Rensburg said in a statement.
She said Cansa was trying to collect 50,000 signatures on a petition it intended presenting to the department of health on World Cancer Day in February 2012.
"We strongly believe in investing in the future of our children by actively involving the youth in the fight against cancer," said Janse van Rensburg.
She said tanning devices were on the International Agency for Research on Cancer's list of the most dangerous cancer-causing agents. The agency is part of the World Health Organisation.
She said the Canadian province of Nova Scotia had recently banned the use of tanning beds.
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