Ongoing Legislation
Every year in the U.S. nearly 30 million people tan indoors. Of these, 2.3 million are teens. Melanoma rates among young women have soared 50% since the 1980's, a trend that has paralleled a rise in the use of tanning salons.
The World Health Organization (WHO) as all well as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) have all called for a ban on ALL indoor tanning by minors. Presently, only 31 states and 4 counties in the U.S. have any restrictions on a minor's use of indoor tanning parlors, and even in those states, typically all that is required is a signed permission slip for those under the age of 14.
AIM at Melanoma, realizing the importance of this issue, has spearheaded this effect by getting legislation introduced throughout the country. Many of these states have since passed laws enacting stricter controls over a minor's access to indoor tanning beds, such as in CA, NY, MD, UT, ME, DE and CT,
This is an ongoing effort. In partnership with the National Council of State Legislatures, we have created the chart below so that you can see what legislation presently exists and follow new legislation as it gets introduced.
At the same time, Aim at Melanoma has also gotten legislation passed that mandated K-12 sun safety education and provided worker's compensation for lifeguards.
As a citizen and a constituent, you are in a powerful position to influence policymakers. The AIM at Melanoma Foundation needs your help! Help us educate and influence legislators on the dangers of indoor tanning. AIM at Melanoma's Public Policy Committee is calling for volunteers to act as legislative advocates at the local grassroots level. The primary duty of these volunteers is to write or visit the local offices of our state and municipal representatives in order to urge them to support a ban on indoor tanning under the age of 18.
We welcome your support, and ask you to contact us if you would like to help in the effort to ban indoor tanning by minors.
For further information contact sguild@AIMatMelanoma.org
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