The Ban on the Tan: Prohibiting Minors from Using Indoor Tanning Devices

Abstract

There has been an influx of medical research studies that prove the correlation between the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation via tanning devices and the increased risk for skin cancer, particularly in younger people. Several health organizations have given strong recommendations against the use of these devices. These recommendations and scientific data have not been enough to sway every state to completely prohibit the use of indoor tanning devices for minors, and there are millions of Americans exposing themselves to radiation that can potentially have dire or deadly results. To protect minors under the age of eighteen, states should impose an overall ban on minors using tanning devices as any less stringent regulation is insufficient. This Note discusses the risk of indoor tanning devices, strong influences that both promote indoor tanning among the youth and hamper change in state regulations, insufficiencies in current state statutes, and the need for an overall ban for minors and stricter regulation of tanning facilities. Keypoints for the Family Court Community The link between increased risk of skin cancer, particularly in younger people, and using indoor tanning devices (with UV radiation) has been established. Some states have inadequate tanning regulations that do not deter minors while other states have not yet addressed indoor tanning among minors. There are strong outside influences which promote indoor tanning despite the publicly known risks. It is necessary for states to impose an overall ban for minors and heavily regulate tanning facilities, as this is the safest method to protect young citizens from the dangers.