Most (83%) Ontarians Support Ban on Indoor Tanning by Youth Under the Age of 18

Toronto, ON - Most (83%) Ontarians `support' (56% strongly/27% somewhat) `the Government of Ontario implementing a ban on indoor tanning on youth under the age of 18 years old', according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society. Conversely, just two in ten (17%) `oppose' (6% strongly/12% somewhat) such a ban.

Given the choice, eight in ten (77%) more closely believe that `because tanning beds can cause cancer, children should be prevented from using tanning beds'. Only one quarter (23%) are closer to the opinion that `this interferes with personal freedoms and that parents should be able to decide whether their children can use tanning beds or not, and that it's not the government's decision.

When asked more generally about legislation in the tanning industry, three quarters (73%) are closer to the sentiment that `the tanning industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself and legislation is needed to regulate the tanning industry', compared to a minority (27%) who are closer to the belief that `government interference in the tanning industry is unnecessary and the tanning industry can regulate itself'. A majority of those in every demographic group studied support further regulation of the industry.

Overall, eight in ten (80%) Ontarians `support' (49% strongly/31% somewhat) `the Government of Ontario implementing legislation to regulate the tanning industry', compared with two in ten (20%) who `oppose' (6% strongly/14% somewhat) such a move.

Furthermore, if Ontarians learned that the tanning industry was not following Health Canada's voluntary guidelines for indoor tanning, seven in ten (70%) say they would be `more likely' to support legislation to regulate the tanning industry. Only one in ten (10%) would be less likely to support legislation and two in ten (20%) would be about as likely.

With a provincial election looming, the poll also suggests that opinions about youth indoor tanning and regulating the tanning industry could have an impact on voting intentions. One third (34%) indicate they will be 'more likely' to support a political party that held the same views as them on banning youth indoor tanning, while just 13% say they'd be less likely to support a political party that held similar views, and for 54% they would be about as likely. When it comes to regulating the tanning industry, one in three (31%) say they'd be `more likely' to support a party that held the same position as they did, while 12% would be `less likely' and 57% would be `about as likely' to support that party.

In fact, two in three (65%) Ontarians say that in deciding how to cast their vote in the next provincial election, it is `important' (29% very/36% somewhat) that the party they support commits to `restrictions on indoor tanning including implementing a ban on indoor tanning by youth under the age of 18 years old'. Just one in three (35%) say that it isn't important (11% not at all/24% not very) to them.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between June 6 to 9, 2011, on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society. For this survey, a sample of 822 Ontarians aged 18+ from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and political composition to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Ontario been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
416.324.2002
[email protected]

Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of e1.140 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos-na.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP