Teenagers under 16 would be banned from tanning beds under a bill headed for the Senate floor next week.
Right now, if you‘re under 16, you have to be accompanied by a parent to use a tanning bed. The Senate Health Committee has unanimously recommended banning those under 16 entirely. Chairman Patricia Miller says tanning beds at any age greatly increase the risk of skin cancer.
"That's much compared to the issue of cigarette smoke, or smoking," Miller said. "The face that we restrict young people in their ability to smoke doesn't change it for adults but restricts it for those 16 and under."
The bill would require 16-and-17-year-olds to have written consent from a parent to use a tanning bed.