The author of a new bill in the Minnesota Legislature is looking to curb the incidence of melanoma by prohibiting the use of tanning beds by minors, the Star Tribunereports.
Sen. Chris Eaton, D-Brooklyn Center, said the state has one of the highest rates of melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer – in the nation because of tanning beds. The National Cancer Center has reported 9,700 deaths from melanoma this year already and another 76,000 new cases in the U.S.
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance says the state already requires parental consent for children younger than 16 to use tanning beds. If the proposed legislation passes, however, it would make the state’s tanning regulations among the strictest in the nation.
The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 33 states and the District of Columbia regulate the use of tanning facilities by minors. California, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Vermont are among the states that ban the use of tanning beds by minors, the organization says.
The use of tanning beds is fairly common among teen girls. AMinnesota Student Survey in January found that 34 percent of white 11th grade girls said they had tanned indoors in the last year, theMinnesota Department of Health reported – and about half of them said they used tanning beds 10 or more times.
Melanoma is the second most common cancer among females ages 15 to 29 years old, according to the Minnesota cancer registry, and it continues to be one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the state, the MDH says.
Although it may be dangerous. I do not believe the government should have the right to tell people what they can and not do. If we do not get a choice in what we do how is that better.
ReplyDeleteMost tanning salons make you have your parents sign a paper saying it is okay for you to tan at their salon. So in my opinion, if your parents think it's okay then they should be able to do what they want with their bodies...even though it is unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteI think it is totally fair that is be porhitbited to anyone under 16. Tanning is very bad for you but if you are old enoguh to make your own decision on everything else then why shouldn't you be `able to decide whether you want to use a tanning bed or not.
ReplyDeletejjmalme i agree with you 100% government is all up in our bisness. why doesnt the government take a step back and look at the problems they are having with there own selfs, instend of trying to fix others
ReplyDeletejjmalme i agree with you 100% government is all up in our bisness. why doesnt the government take a step back and look at the problems they are having with there own selfs, instend of trying to fix others
ReplyDeletetanning is a choice. the government doesn't say you can't go outside to tan and tanning outside can be just as harmful as the tanning bed.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't really matter what you do with yourself it's your body. I mean if you're parents are willing to sign the paper it really shouldn't matter the government shouldn't be able to decide on this kind of stuff yeah they want to keep everyone else safe but it's not harming them if somebody wants to risk getting cancer let them.
ReplyDeleteI'd be okay with this. Tanning beds are dangerous and I don't think minors need to go tanning everyday. GO OUTSIDE!!!
ReplyDeleteSo you don't want people to think for themselves? You want the government to decide what's good and what is bad for us? The government should not be allowed to make decisions for us.
DeleteThe government thinks they need to put their two cents into everything. They prohibit tattoos, alcohol, cigarettes, piercings, and now they're trying to prohibit tanning beds. Well even by doing this, people still find loop holes. If people want to tan that badly, they'll find a way.
ReplyDeleteI like how we are responsible enough to drive but not responsible enough to decide if we can tan or not. The government is starting to over stretch its boundaries with regulation. What's next? Will the ban shorts and tee shirts to limit the amount of sun exposure?
ReplyDeleteIf they made the choice. They know the risks and if they want to do it let them. stay out of everyone's business.
ReplyDeletei think the age should be 18 because is tanning really that important? seriously a lot of people will regret tanning when they get older because the chances of living a long and fulfilling life i dont think tanning is such a big deal that you have to do it at age 14, 15, 16, or 17 it really not that big of a deal.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like the fact people go tanning but still put them self's at risk to get caner but whatever I think they should pass it for that reason. Stay Classy ACGC
ReplyDeleteunless it shows a high risk in skin cancer i guess then it would matter.
ReplyDeleteSome people who get cancer would get it they have ever tanned in a tanning bed before or not. This is stupid. They might as well make it illegal to outside on a sunny day too because you could get cancer from that too.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of taning in a taning bed that you would get more change of getting cancer it is useing a high power thin and you can go out side and do the same thing but it would take longer.
ReplyDelete