BILL WOULD BAN PERSONS UNDER 18 FROM ACCESS TO TANNING FACILITIES

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Persons  under 18 would be refused access to tanning facilities in the state of Ohio unless prescribed by a doctor, under  bipartisan legislation introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.

The bill (HB 131), sponsored by state Reps. Michael Stinziano, D-Columbus, and Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, would also require tanning facilities to “make reasonable efforts” to ensure that patrons are 18 or older

“Cigarettes cause cancer. Tanning beds cause cancer. Why do we protect our children from the dangers of tobacco smoke but not from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning?” said Stinziano.

According to the Ohio State Medical Association, which backs the bill, indoor tanning causes melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Among those who had ever used a tanning device, 76 percent of melanomas were attributable to tanning bed use, the OSMA said.

Representatives Stinziano and Johnson provided sponsor testimony this morning to the House Health and Aging Committee and the bill is awaiting further review.