COMPETITION BUREAU CHALLENGES TANNING HEALTH CLAIMS

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FABUTAN ALLEGEDLY MISLED CONSUMERS ABOUT BENEFITS OF INDOOR TANNING OTTAWA, March 31, 2005 -- The Competition Bureau announced today that it has filed an application for an order with the Competition Tribunal to stop Calgary-based Fabutan Sun Tan Studios and its president Douglas McNabb from making false representations to the public that there are health benefits associated with indoor tanning, such as a reduced risk of cancer. The application is being filed under the deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Competition Act, which prohibit making representations to the public that are false or misleading. The provisions also prohibit making statements about the performance or efficacy of a product - in this case indoor tanning lamps and services - that are not based on adequate and proper tests. The Bureau investigated Fabutan's false representations that implied that moderate indoor tanning: is a treatment for vitamin D deficiency and seasonal affective disorder;stimulates the metabolism; andprevents or reduces the risk of cancer, heart or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and sunburn. "Young consumers in particular are at risk of compromising their health through the use of indoor tanning services," said Raymond Pierce, Deputy Commissioner. "These representations may mislead people into thinking there are significant benefits associated with prolonged exposure to UV radiation." According to the application, the Bureau is asking the Tribunal to order Fabutan to: cease making certain representations concerning the benefits of indoor tanning;publish a corrective notice; andpay an administrative monetary penalty. The respondents have 30 days to file a response with the Tribunal. The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act. For media enquiries, please contact: Maureen McGrath Senior Communications Advisor Communications Branch (819) 953-8982, or (613) 296-2187 (cell) For general enquiries, please contact: Information Centre Competition Bureau (819) 997-4282 1-800-348-5358

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COMPETITION BUREAU CHALLENGES TANNING HEALTH CLAIMS

News Release

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