Don Smith

FYI To Canadian Tanning Salon Owners:

I have received (from several sources - thank you) the April 22,2002 "Bradley Letter" setting forth the changes that Health Canada intends to make to the Canadian Sunlamp Standards.

There is nothing new here that wasn't in the "bomb" that was dropped on us on 2/8/02 (at the end of the day!).

What everyone must come to terms with is the fact that there is a small group of international regulators and photobiologists who, meeting in secret, are trying to cram down our throat regulations that will serve as a "de facto" ban of the indoor tanning industry. They realize that they can't kill us so they have decided to "settle" for JUST cutting off our arms and legs.

Fortunately, the scientific facts ARE ON OUR SIDE and not theirs! {Note: I have spent the past two+ years researching the issues that are now before us.]

Unfortunately, the Aussies have, unwisely IMHO, agreed to a new set of standards (that I just received) that look like the anti-tanning dermatology community wrote them. It is beyond my comprehension that the folks "down under" didn't alert us to what they were going to agree to before they "signed off" on them. [Note: I have ALREADY heard from several regulators that what they are proposing is not as draconian as what the Aussies agreed to!]

You see, as the regulators march toward their anti-tanning version of "global harmonization", we MUST all realize that the borders and oceans between our countries don't mean much anymore. We are, truly, all in this together.

If any of you would like to talk about the specifics of the "Bradley Letter", call me at 1-520-975-0180. Also, you may want to go to www.naatso.org and "click" on the tab at the top of the home page marked "Regulatory" and read the 9 reports I posted there following the 2/7 & 2/9 meeting.

IF we all stick together and present a strong, united front, we WILL prevail!

Don

Chippp

I don't want to burst your bubble but in canada we are in a dictatorship, we have no say in what the gov does or dosen't do, yes we are free to cry and stamp our feet , but it just makes our gov enjoy more the suffering it has already and will again put on us. Waving a red flag infront of a bull just makes it madder.
This not only relates to tanning but every other aspect of our lives.
In canada we do not have the money or energy to fight anything......... our gov. has long ago blead us dry.

Don Smith

Chippp:

Hopefully, your "defeatest" attitude isn't shared by all Canadian tanning salon owners.

As for me, I plan to be there for the May 10, 2002 meeting and do whatever I can to help!

Remember, Chippp, the facts are on OUR side!

Don

Don

Chippp

Good Luck!

hotgirl

As a Canadian Salon Owner who is new to the industry and hopeful and optimistic, I have to ask- what is this all about?

Don Smith

Hotgirl:

The "Bradley Letter" stated that "Responding to world globalization, one of the CCRPB (Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada) goals is to harmonize its standards for tanning equipment with those of other countries as much as possible."

So, what this means is that Canada is looking down the gunbarrel at some VERY intrusive NEW regulations.

This will be a "hot topic" in Canada in the months ahead just like it has been a "hot topic" down here for the past few months.

And you folks "up north" thought we were the only ones with regulatory problems, didn't you! LOL

I only hope that more tanning salon owners in Canada will "get involved" than there are down here.

Don

Mori

Chipp, it's just that type of defeatist attitude that would sink this industry. I'm so glad that there are a number of us who choose to stand and fight and I for one believe in charging and taking the fight to them.

The Canadian gov't is only parroting world wide rulings without raeally paying attention to the "facts" that we would like to present. It is true that we do in fact lack the clout and expertise of some of our American counterparts and so we look to our more experienced brothers-in-arms for guidance and support for what is clearly a global battle.

Lay down and die if you choose or come on board and join the "good fight". Make yourself known as one who wants to fight for his rights and livelihood and ask how you can help.

What province are you in or if that's too personal join the province's association and if they don't have one yet... START ONE. [ This Message was edited by: Mori on 2002-04-26 10:06 ]

Don Smith

Amen! Mori.

What we have to realilze is that WE (the "collective" indoor tanning industry) are the experts regarding tanning, not some bureaucrats who have NEVER operated a modern, professional indoor tanning salon!

It is time (past time actually) for us to stand up and be counted!

Don

beachbumzbabe

thank you Don and Mori for keeping us Canadians informed, I am a new salon owner in Ontario and have not turned a deaf ear to what our gov't intends to implent, I'm also aware that Canadain Salons need to pool together just to be heard, I'm sorry that people like Chippp have no optimism and will most likely ride on the shirt tails of us hard working professional salon owners. I have already joined our Ontario organization and will continue to participate in keeping this industry professional and educated. Keep us posted on any latest news that you hear. Thanks again, I'm glad to be on your side!

Don Smith

Babe:

If everyone would join (and support) the organization(s) that are working for them it would be great!

Can an organized tanning salon owners group in Canada (and the USA!) prevail?

There's only one way to find out!

Don