The state Senate passed legislation banning minors 16 and under from using indoor ultraviolet tanning facilities on June 18. According to the Senate, the law is to help protect teens from skin cancer.
“The legislature is going to protect a lot of kids with this proposal,” said Blair Horner, vice president for advocacy. Horner was speaking on behalf of the American Cancer Society, a group that lobbied for the passage of the bill.
The bill is now awaiting approval from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. According to Horner, there is no indication of how Cuomo will decide on the issue, but it will affect people's view on tanning.
“What we're hoping,” said Horner, “is that people will steer away from this dangerous product.”
However, he went on to say that the legislation might not go far enough in its aim of protecting teens.
“We think there is sufficient evidence to support a ban on all minors being able to use indoor tanning, that's anything under the age of 18,” said Horner. “There's no scientific reason to allow 17-year-olds to continue tanning and not 16-year-olds.”
Many teens are upset about the ban, saying that they should be old enough to decide if they want to go indoor tanning or not.
Marissa Jones, 14, from Hilton, said she goes tanning often, usually in the winter.
“If you know the risks, it shouldn't really matter,” she said.
Other teens, like Courtney Allen, 15, of Victor, said they could see the importance of the ban because of the known dangers of indoor tanning. Still, she thinks she's old enough to decide.
“Sixteen is old enough to be able to make the decision,” said Allen. “We’re going to be juniors (next school year).”
Adults and parents may think otherwise.
“Skin cancer is dangerous,” said Kelly Nanavati, a mother from Pittsford. “Anything giving more guidance (about skin cancer and indoor tanning) to young people is a good thing.”
The state Senate passed legislation banning minors 16 and under from using indoor ultraviolet tanning facilities on June 18. According to the Senate, the law is to help protect teens from skin cancer.
“The legislature is going to protect a lot of kids with this proposal,” said Blair Horner, vice president for advocacy. Horner was speaking on behalf of the American Cancer Society, a group that lobbied for the passage of the bill.
The bill is now awaiting approval from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. According to Horner, there is no indication of how Cuomo will decide on the issue, but it will affect people's view on tanning.
“What we're hoping,” said Horner, “is that people will steer away from this dangerous product.”
However, he went on to say that the legislation might not go far enough in its aim of protecting teens.
“We think there is sufficient evidence to support a ban on all minors being able to use indoor tanning, that's anything under the age of 18,” said Horner. “There's no scientific reason to allow 17-year-olds to continue tanning and not 16-year-olds.”
Many teens are upset about the ban, saying that they should be old enough to decide if they want to go indoor tanning or not.
Marissa Jones, 14, from Hilton, said she goes tanning often, usually in the winter.
“If you know the risks, it shouldn't really matter,” she said.
Other teens, like Courtney Allen, 15, of Victor, said they could see the importance of the ban because of the known dangers of indoor tanning. Still, she thinks she's old enough to decide.
“Sixteen is old enough to be able to make the decision,” said Allen. “We’re going to be juniors (next school year).”
Adults and parents may think otherwise.
“Skin cancer is dangerous,” said Kelly Nanavati, a mother from Pittsford. “Anything giving more guidance (about skin cancer and indoor tanning) to young people is a good thing.”
