05.02.12
Vermont has become the second state in the US to prohibit the use of indoor tanning beds by minors under the age of 18 via its passage of House Bill 157. California was the first state to pass legislation banning the practice by minors.
"The American Academy of Dermatology Association commends Vermont for being a leader in the fight against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers. A ban on indoor tanning for minors is critical to preventing skin cancer and reducing our country's health care costs," said Daniel M. Siegel, M.D., FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. "Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the last 30 years, with the most rapid increases occurring among young, white women, the most common users of indoor tanning beds. Prohibiting minors' access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues through adolescence into young adulthood."
In Vermont, the incidence rate for melanoma in women 15 years and older has increased by 34% between 2004 and 2008.
"The Vermont Dermatological Society supported House Bill 157 throughout the legislative process because it will protect young people who do not fully understand that they are hurting themselves when they tan," said Todd E. Holmes, M.D., FAAD, president of the Vermont Dermatological Society. "We applaud the state of Vermont for taking a strong stance on this public health effort and joining California in leading the nation to protect children and adolescents from the health hazards of indoor tanning."
"The American Academy of Dermatology Association commends Vermont for being a leader in the fight against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers. A ban on indoor tanning for minors is critical to preventing skin cancer and reducing our country's health care costs," said Daniel M. Siegel, M.D., FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. "Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the last 30 years, with the most rapid increases occurring among young, white women, the most common users of indoor tanning beds. Prohibiting minors' access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues through adolescence into young adulthood."
In Vermont, the incidence rate for melanoma in women 15 years and older has increased by 34% between 2004 and 2008.
"The Vermont Dermatological Society supported House Bill 157 throughout the legislative process because it will protect young people who do not fully understand that they are hurting themselves when they tan," said Todd E. Holmes, M.D., FAAD, president of the Vermont Dermatological Society. "We applaud the state of Vermont for taking a strong stance on this public health effort and joining California in leading the nation to protect children and adolescents from the health hazards of indoor tanning."