VICTORIA - Teens craving sun-kissed skin have one less option now that a tanning ban has come into effect.

Effective Oct. 15, tanning salons must post signs informing the public they won't serve anyone under the age of 18 and if they do they could face a $345 fine for each offence.

The provincial governmental made changes under the Public Health Act last March aimed at reducing the chances people will develop skin cancer later in life.

The only exception to the ban is for youth who have a medical prescription which requires ultraviolet light treatment, such as for the condition psoriasis.

The B.C. Cancer Agency estimates that 966 British Columbians will have been diagnosed with the skin cancer melanoma by the end of 2012, while 150 people will die from the disease.

The World Health Organization says indoor tanning before the age of 35 boosts the risks of developing melanoma by 75 per cent, but while incidence rates in Canada are rising it is also one of the most preventable cancers.

Also on HuffPost:

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  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." She brought her daughter, Anna, whom she <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/patricia-krentcil-arrested-daughter-tanning-booth_n_1469392.html?ref=crime" target="_hplink">allegedly took into a tanning booth in April</a>. Krentcil denies the allegation.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Here's Tanning Mom with HuffPost Weird News editor Andy Campbell.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." She brought her daughter, Anna, whom she <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/patricia-krentcil-arrested-daughter-tanning-booth_n_1469392.html?ref=crime" target="_hplink">allegedly took into a tanning booth in April</a>. Krentcil denies the allegation.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    This photograph of Patricia Krentcil was released by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J. Krentcil, of Nutley, N.J., whose own skin is deeply bronze-colored from regular visits to a tanning salon, has been accused of taking her 5-year-old daughter into a tanning booth in violation of state law. Krentcil entered a plea of not guilty Wednesday in Superior Court to a charge of child endangerment. (AP Photo/Essex County Prosecutor's Office)

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    Patricia Krentcil, 44, left, stands with her lawyer John Caruso during a court appearance on charges of child endangerment at the Essex County Superior Court, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J. Krentcil is accused of taking her 5-year-old child into a tanning booth. Krentcil tells The Associated Press her daughter got her sunburn from being outside on a recent warm day. New Jersey state law prohibits anyone under 14 from using tanning salons.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    Patricia Krentcil, 44, waits to be arraigned at the Essex County Superior Court, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J., where she appeared on charges of endangering her 5-year-old child by taking her into a tanning salon. Krentcil tells The Associated Press her daughter got her sunburn from being outside on a recent warm day. New Jersey state law prohibits anyone under 14 from using tanning salons.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    Patricia Krentcil, 44, center, walks out of Essex County Superior Court with her lawyer John Caruso, right, after court appearance on charges of child endangerment, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J. Krentcil is accused of taking her 5-year-old child into a tanning booth. Krentcil tells The Associated Press her daughter got her sunburn from being outside on a recent warm day. New Jersey state law prohibits anyone under 14 from using tanning salons.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    Patricia Krentcil, 44, walks out of Essex County Superior Court after court appearance on charges of child endangerment, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J. Krentcil is accused of taking her 5-year-old child into a tanning booth. Krentcil tells The Associated Press her daughter got her sunburn from being outside on a recent warm day. New Jersey state law prohibits anyone under 14 from using tanning salons.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

  • Tanned Mom Charged

    Reporters talk to Patricia Krentcil, 44, center right, as she walks out of Essex County Superior Court after court appearance on charges of child endangerment, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Newark, N.J. Krentcil is accused of taking her 5-year-old child into a tanning booth. Krentcil tells The Associated Press her daughter got her sunburn from being outside on a recent warm day. New Jersey state law prohibits anyone under 14 from using tanning salons.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

  • Tanning Mom's New Skin

    Patricia Krentcil -- also known as Tanning Mom -- was in Westchester, NY on Friday, Sept. 21 to show off her better-looking skin and promote the book she allegedly swears by, "The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin." During the event, she told The Huffington Post exclusively that Mitt Romney's now infamous "tan" is fake.