Just last week, Governor Jerry Brown of California passed a law prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.
The law says that anyone 14 to 17 can use tanning beds if parent consent is given.
California is the first state to ban tanning, but other states are probably close behind. Indoor tanning is very popular in California, even with the state being known for its natural sunshine.
Teenagers that want to have a tan are now going to have to look for other alternatives such as spray tanning and tanning creams.
“I think that anybody should be able to tan and it’s a personal choice, age shouldn’t matter,” Junior Taylor Horvat said.
This is leaving some very unhappy teenagers in the state, but The American Academy of Dermatology couldn’t be happier.
They commend the governor and say that he is making a stand to protect the future of our teenagers.
Studies show that people who have used indoor tanning are at 75 percent higher risk for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.
The Indoor Tanning Association has voiced its own concerns about what this will do to their industry. They say that the new law will
cause a loss of jobs and definitely hurt the tanning business. They also
disagree with The American Academy of Dermatology and say, there is
no agreement among researchers that exposure ultraviolet light that doesn’t cause burns leads to the development of melanoma.
This is just the beginning of the banning of tanning bed use for teenagers. Already New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are considering doing the same.
“I would be mad because I tan everyday,” Junior, Lindsay Richards said.
Tanning beds will soon be a thing of the past for teenagers. Although teenagers will hate this, it is definitely for the best. The safer alternatives are the way to go. Say hello to spray tans and tanning creams and goodbye to tanning beds.
Tanning bed. (blog.timesunion.com)
