1. Age restrictions have existed for years; from tobacco, alcohol and pornography sales, to driving privledges, voting rights and movie attendance. This will not be the end of the tanning industry at all…just a means to protect children.

2. Melanoma rates are one of the few cancer rates that are increasing…particularly with young women. At the same time, use of tanning beds by young women is on the rise. Coincidence? Most likely not.

3. Studies have only recently linked melanoma with tanning bed use. But other skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), along with skin aging and wrinkles, have been linked to tanning for years! Wrinkled and scarred…is that the look wished for by young tanners?

4. Vitamin D is available in many foods and through suppliments. Besides, it takes less than 30 minutes of sunshine to absorb the day’s need for Vitamin D.

5. Get your facts from any legitimate mmedical website and learn the facts.

Read the "Melanoma Snapshot" at the National Institute of Cancer. In the very first paragraph we read, "Increases have been most rapid among white women aged 15 to 39 years, in whom incidence has increased by 3 percent annually since 1992," Also read, from the AMA this article "Melanoma rates keep rising, especially among young women" and I quote, "“We anticipated that we’d find rising rates, particularly among young women, but we were surprised to see such a dramatic increase in incidence,” he said. He added that the rising cancer rate, particularly for young women, probably is being driven by use of indoor tanning beds." It doesn't take much time to do a search for "melanoma on rise in young." Do some research. Talk to people in the know and who aren't selling tanning beds. The tanning lobby is powerful. Passing this won't be easy, but it can happen if people help.

If a Democrat proposed this, conservatives would be screaming socialism charges. A Republican proposes this and it's just good sense. What a bunch of hypocrits, but at least it has the merit of being sensible.........for a change.

This is about "children" not about adults. And who's to say what "moderation" is? Did you know using a tanning bed increases your risk for melanoma by up to 75%? If an adult wants to take that chance and understands what they may be getting themselves into, I don't get it, but "fine." But to give minors that "privilege" is irresponsible. There was a time we didn't buckle up in a car and seat belts weren't even put in cars. My how times have changed. It would be lovely if people acted responsibly with their lives, with other peoples lives and with their children's lives, but not all do. Even with laws on the books. A law won't deter every parent, but at least it will make most stop and think and be responsible when it comes to their children who want to tan.

Why does every little bit of our lives have to be regulated by the government? I am so sick of it. Like everything else in life - a tanning bed used moderation is not a death sentence. When will people start taking responsibility for their excesses so the government will stop regulating those of us who already live in moderation?

We agree! The problem is that parents, usually, don't understand what tanning can lead to themselves & let's face it, we live in a society where parents are all too eager to let their children do everything they want to do. If a teen wants to tan, they're apt to let them. There was a time when parents didn't have the info we do now, they thought is was OK, even tanned with their children. I have friends who have buried their children because they let them tan, not knowing. We know now, but we're having a hard time getting the word out. The Tanning Lobby is rich & powerful; they're selling a lie, that people are buying. The melanoma community is often seen as "the bad guys" & the "nay-sayers." As I say, "People don't get it until they get it." Since you're a melanoma survivor, I don't understand your reluctance to support this bill. Maybe I'm reading you wrong. I'm glad the gov't doesn't need to tell your children what to do, but it does need to tell many because their parents aren't.

how about PARENTS DO YOUR JOB!

Autismawareness, that's fine for you to say if you're an adult. Nobody has the right, though, to hand a 14 year old a loaded gun and say commit suicide. That's what our state is currently doing with tanning beds. Playing Russian Roulette with our children. And, sorry, but research melanoma before making that statement

as a melanoma survivor, i have done a little research. and our gov't shouldn't need to tell my kids what to do. PARENTING!

Why do you need a tanning bed to get a tan anyway? Summer will be here soon won't it?? What's the big deal?

This sounds well and good, but just like anything else, you have to try to think about unintended consequences. Ban or not, teens will continue to seek tans and they will seek out unmonitored home tanning units and unsafe habits in the natural sun. Research shows that the risk of using home tanning beds is far greater than using them in salons - presumedly because of exposure time and because salon workers are trained to not allow clients to overexpose. As much as doctors would like you to believe it, research has not shown a statistically significant correlation between tanning in salons and melanoma - only with home use and medical phototherapy. Melanoma is clearly a very sad thing, but when talking about legislation, emotion and anecdotal evidence must be put to the side. Unfortunately, a very small percentage of young people have always gotten melanoma, and continue to. But melanoma in young people is not on the rise according to National Cancer Institute data.

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