Health News
California bans minors from tanning beds
Oct 10, 2011, 19:36 GMT
Sacramento - California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that bars anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning bed in a bid to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
The new law replaces a previous tan ban that prevented anyone under the age of 14 from using ultraviolet tanning devices but allowed those between the ages 14 and 18 to use them with parental consent.
California is the first state in the US to introduce such a ban.
The bill's author, State Sen. Ted Lieu, said the restrictions were needed because research showed that the younger a person is when exposed to tanning beds, the higher the risk of their contracting skin cancer.
Skin tanning was especially prevalent in wealthier areas, with Los Angeles County having more tanning salons than Starbucks or McDonald's have outlets.
According to the Indoor Tanning Association, between 5 to 10 per cent of tanning salon customers are under the age of 18.
'I feel great,' Lieu told CNN of the bill's passage. 'I believe it will help save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering.'
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