Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would have banned minors from using tanning beds even if they had a parent’s consent or a doctors note failed in the House Monday afternoon 42-33.
HB34 sponsor Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, said he didn’t originally agree with tightening the use of tanning beds by children, but said his mind was changed by the data.
Daw recalled conversations with doctors where he’d been told repeatedly that there is no medical need for tanning, especially for teenagers. According to him, the risk of developing skin cancer from tanning beds is even higher for youth.
Brook Carlisle, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network government relations director, told KSL in November that an individual’s risk of sunburn and skin cancer increases 59% if they are under age 35.
Related:
Utah lawmaker wants to keep teens out of tanning salons
A Utah lawmaker has changed his mind, believing now that teen access to tanning beds should be banned completely.“The greatest, avoidable known risk factor is the use of indoor tanning devices,” she said. “Despite all of these documented risks, we know that people are still using tanning beds.”
This risk is something Daw built upon during the lively discussion.
When asked whether this bill would completely ban tanning bed use for minors, he said if a parent were to buy one and keep it in their house, the law would not prevent a child from using it.
