Legal Research

Big Brother?

By Mark Lewis

This is one I am unsure of and so I am curious to put it to Slaw-ers for their commentary and thoughts on the issue, I am simply unsure. Of what? Of Bill 102 of the 2nd Session, 61st General Assembly, Nova Scotia,59 Elizabeth II, 2010 aka: An Act to Regulate Tanning Beds: The Tanning Beds Act. The purpose of said act is: “…to protect the health of Nova Scotians, and in particular young persons, by restricting their access to tanning equipment in tanning facilities in light of the risks associated with the use of tanning equipment” , in short, to restrict those under 19 years of age from access to tanning beds and the act includes not inconsequential penalties for those who facilitate people under 19 gaining access to tanning beds.

While I don’t think tanning beds are particularly healthy I am simply unsure if this is an example of the state going too far in proscribing the behaviour of the citizens of the state. I put stock in the argument about unhealthy behaviours, such as smoking, causing health care costs to increase which is a bill that we all have to foot. I would also buy the argument that under this legislation consenting adults are able to choose and this bill targets youth much like smoking legislation. That being said, I remain unsure if this is a case of the state going too far. I welcome Slaw comments and thoughts.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on December 10, 2010 (boomark / email).