06.27.12
Rhode Island is prohibiting the use of indoor tanning beds by minors under the age of 18 without consent.
The legislation is reportedly a compromise from an earlier version bill that would have banned those under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning facilities at all. In this new version, teens who wanted to get a tan indoors would have to have a prescription from a licensed physician for UV radiation treatment or their parent/guardian would need to sign a written consent form every other time the teen had a session.
"The American Academy of Dermatology Association applauds Rhode Island for joining 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, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
According to Dr. Siegal, in Rhode Island the incidence rate for melanoma in women 15 years and older increased by 24% between 2004 and 2008.
“Prohibiting minors' access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues through adolescence into adulthood,” he added.
The legislation is reportedly a compromise from an earlier version bill that would have banned those under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning facilities at all. In this new version, teens who wanted to get a tan indoors would have to have a prescription from a licensed physician for UV radiation treatment or their parent/guardian would need to sign a written consent form every other time the teen had a session.
"The American Academy of Dermatology Association applauds Rhode Island for joining 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, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
According to Dr. Siegal, in Rhode Island the incidence rate for melanoma in women 15 years and older increased by 24% between 2004 and 2008.
“Prohibiting minors' access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues through adolescence into adulthood,” he added.