Bill To Ban Teens from Tanning Booths

[_Lisa_]

CNN Article Here

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) -- A state famous for tanned bodies and year-round sunshine would be the nation's first to ban teenagers from artificial tanning booths if a bill passed by the state Assembly becomes law.

Lawmakers, citing a rise in skin cancer cases in California and across the nation, voted 42-26 to add artificial tanning to teenage no no's that already include smoking, drinking and buying lottery tickets.

Teens often visit tanning salons before proms, vacations and weddings, say owners of an industry that claims 160,000 employees nationally and $5 billion in annual revenue. California is estimated to have 1,500 tanning salons.

Backers of the bill, including the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, blame tanning salons for part of 1 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year in the United States. The group cited 7,400 deaths annually from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

"There is a big difference between going to the beach and a tanning salon," said the bill's author, Assemblyman Joe Nation, a Democrat. "When kids go to the beach they put on sun screen."

The bill passed Thursday despite opposition from tanning salons and Republican lawmakers opposed to "meddling" in personal choices.

"If this bill passes it proves there's no part of somebody's life this Legislature won't stick its nose into," said GOP Assemblyman Ray Haynes.

Heidi Blank, manager of San Diego's Hollywood Tans, said she thought the bill could "hurt my business somewhat. But what are you going to do? There's people bigger than me making those decisions."

She said teenagers account for about 5 percent of her store's clients.

The bill, which now goes to the Senate for consideration, requires teenagers to have a doctor or surgeon's prescription before being allowed to tan indoors.

Along with 26 other states, California already requires permission from parents or a legal guardian for teens 15-18 to use artificial tanning salons. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

[Lady Pi Phi]

How does on get a prescription for a tanning booth???

What kind of medical necessity requires a tanning booth? The only one I can think of is depression and most doctors don't suggest going to the tanning booth. They either tell you to go outside on sunny days or they sugegst purchasing/ a special lamp the mimicss the effects of daylight.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
How does on get a prescription for a tanning booth???

What kind of medical necessity requires a tanning booth? The only one I can think of is depression and most doctors don't suggest going to the tanning booth. They either tell you to go outside on sunny days or they sugegst purchasing/ a special lamp the mimicss the effects of daylight.

There are skin diseases that require it.

-Rudey

[PM_Mama00]

Helllooooo does anyone else find it funny that California even HAS tanning booths?

I like Michigan. Where being pastey is the "in" thing.

But seriously, how the hell can they do that? They might as well ban young adults from smoking because of cancer, from driving because lots of teens get into car accidents, college students from having sex cuz they have too much and it gets in the way of their studies..............

[swissmiss04]

I'm for it. I used to go, but it caused skin problems. There are skin diseases that require visits, but other than that, going to a tanning bed isn't your "right". It truly isn't healthy. A friend of mine (who never has been to a tanning bed) got melanoma. Her dermatologist told her that surgeons can always tell people who visited tanning beds because their organs are a different color. They're fried! Ick! The later they can delay frying their bodies, the better they'll be. What's so hard about spending some time outside?

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
I'm for it. I used to go, but it caused skin problems. There are skin diseases that require visits, but other than that, going to a tanning bed isn't your "right". It truly isn't healthy. A friend of mine (who never has been to a tanning bed) got melanoma. Her dermatologist told her that surgeons can always tell people who visited tanning beds because their organs are a different color. They're fried! Ick! The later they can delay frying their bodies, the better they'll be. What's so hard about spending some time outside?

I disagree with one thing. If you want to go to a tanning bed, then I think it is your right. If you want to fry your organs then go for it. Unlike smoking, going to a tanning bed isn't hurting anyone but yourself.

I do agree that more people should get outside. And I definitly agree with PM_Mama, how come there are so many tanning beds in California??

[mrblonde]

Underage tanning is prohibited for the same reason underage smoking is: lawsuits. People say that its their right to do whatever they please, but refuse to take responsibility for themselves, or their children. Companies prohibiting them are saving billions in legal fees.

[DZHBrown]

I can see there being a lot of tanning beds in CA. I could be wrong, but a lot of people are tan in CA, right? Well, if someone doesn't like the beach or pool, doesn't want to wear a swimsuit, etc., they can go to the tanning bed and be tan like everyone else!

I can also understand not allowing minors to go. Maybe with parental permission, it would be okay?

[AGDee]

Requiring parental permissions seems like it would be a good compromise. I can see why they would want to regulate something for minors that is a known health issue.

I also think the tanning industry might need some regulation. I have only tanned in booths a few times in my lifetime, the first being before my first wedding in 1989. Back then, your first visit could last 30 minutes and you wouldn't burn. It took numerous visits to start to see much of a tan. When I went in 1998 or so, you could only stay in for 5 minutes on your first visit and you could see a tan almost instantly. They are definitely making the bulbs stronger (more dangerous?). When I see people with sun burns from tanning booths, I get more concerned. Also, after a couple weeks of tanning in 1998, I got a bunch of "freckles" that I've never had before. I won't tan again!

My dad who is 100% Sicilian and very dark skinned normally and would get very tan in the summer, never burning, just had a cancerous mole removed. He is so far from the typical skin cancer type that they talk about (fair skinned, burns easily and often) that it really shocked me. I don't think I'll ever let my daughter tan while I have control over it.

Dee

[PM_Mama00]

Actually now that I remember, I think the salon I used to work at wouldn't let in a certain age and under without a parent's permission. I got to cuz I knew the owner.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by mrblonde
Underage tanning is prohibited for the same reason underage smoking is: lawsuits. People say that its their right to do whatever they please, but refuse to take responsibility for themselves, or their children. Companies prohibiting them are saving billions in legal fees.

I agree with you concerning the whole lawsuit bit as the reason for this bill.

Yet, I've had skin cancer, and have had several relatives die of melanoma. I think it would be easier to put a gun in your mouth & get it over with rather than slowly fry your skin to a crisp.

Tans do look nice, but you only have to see ONE person with melanoma to realize that tans will only age & eventually kill you.

[Rollergirl2001]

I have two words for you: fake IDs. The kids will use the fake IDs to get in. Besides, the law won't stop the kids from going. If a person lives nearby in a bordering state, then they'll go to that tanning salon.

[Munchkin03]

If someone wants to fry their internal organs and look like George Hamilton, whether they're 16 or 60, who am I to say they shouldn't?

I wouldn't go to a tanning bed, but I don't need to.

[justamom]

What they need is a bill that prohibits idiot parents from promoting tanning beds for their children...and a law that forces them to swab their kids with SPF 15 before they go out to play.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by justamom
What they need is a bill that prohibits idiot parents from promoting tanning beds for their children...and a law that forces them to swab their kids with SPF 15 before they go out to play.

JAM is a genius!!!!