Canadian Community Health Survey: Rapid response on tanning equipment use and laser beam exposure, 2014

The data were collected in all provinces from March to June 2014.

The module on tanning equipment use asked respondents a number of questions related to the use of sunlamps or tanning beds in the 12 months preceding the survey. If respondents used tanning beds, they were asked questions about their use of the equipment, such as: their reasons for using it; whether they are a regular or periodic user; the precautions that were taken while using it; any injuries or discomfort incurred as a result of using it, in particular to the eyes and skin; and how often and for what duration their injury occurred.

The module on laser beam exposure asked respondents a number of questions related to their exposure to laser beams in the 12 months preceding the survey, not including medical devices. Respondents were asked: what laser devices they have been exposed to; if there has been an injury as a result of this exposure; the number of injuries and the type of injuries incurred; and their worst injury as it relates to type, duration, device used, who used the device and where they got the device.

The addition of these questions to the Canadian Community Health Survey was sponsored by Health Canada.