The provincial Liberals are calling on Newfoundland and Labrador to follow the lead of other provinces, and ban tanning beds for people under the age of 19.

Nova Scotia and British Columbia have made it illegal for minors to use tanning beds. Quebec introduced legislation to do the same this week.

"The rate of melanoma [skin cancer] in this province has increased a staggering 200 per cent … Studies show that young people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get skin cancer than those who never use them," said Andrew Parsons, MHA for Burgeo – La Poile, in the house of assembly Wednesday.

"What is the delay in addressing this issue? Why are you not leading the way to prevent melanoma instead of waiting to see what everyone else does before you act?"

Health Minister Susan Sullivan told Parsons to be patient.

"We are not waiting on any other jurisdiction to see what they are doing," she said.

"We have some very competent people who we work with on a daily basis … This is an issue that we are very concerned about. This is an issue that we intend to address … we will be back to you in due course."

Last June, a St. John's dermatologist told CBC News that the number of young people diagnosed with skin cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador is on the rise.

Dr. Joe Coffey said he is diagnosing more patients in their early 20s and 30s.

"Typically we expect to see skin cancers in people in their 60s, but because of the tanning bed exposure and because of the outdoor activities that a lot of our patients are involved in we're seeing an accelerated number of skin cancers," he told CBC News.

He said most skin damage happens before the age of 18.