New York state representatives are considering a bill that would ban indoor tanning for anyone under 18 years old.
The American Cancer Society is in favor of the bill. The organization reports a 72 percent increase in melanoma in 10 years.
Two new studies show young adults are still getting sunburned and are using tanning beds. A CDC study found half of adults younger than age 30 were sunburned in the past year, and a National Cancer Institute study found that indoor tanning is still common among young adults.
The company Total Tan is speaking out against the proposed ban. On their website, the company posted, "Two bills pending in Albany would take away a very basic right of parents--the right to decide whether or not their teen can suntan indoors....This is a very serious threat so please spread the word." The company included a link so people can contact their state representatives.
The bill backed by powerful sponsors in the Assembly and Senate comes at prom time - a peak time for using the booths - and as national headlines and "Saturday Night Live" highlight the case of a deeply tanned New Jersey woman dubbed "tanorexic."
What do you think is an appropriate age to allow people to use tanning beds? Should it be up to the government or parents to decide? Post your comments below.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
