Politics & Government

Illinois Senate Approves Radogno Bill to Ban Minors from Tanning Beds

The legislation, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), would prohibit teens 17 and younger from using UV tanning beds.

The Illinois Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would prohibit all Illinois minors from using indoor tanning beds.

Senate Bill 2244, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) in February, would ban Illinois minors age 17 and younger from UV tanning beds.

Currently, minors ages 14 to 17 are allowed to tan if they provide a parent's signature.

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Radogno said in a press release that she introduced the bill to protect Illinois minors from the serious health risks involved with indoor tanning beds.

“Indoor tanning is a known carcinogen, and research shows that even a single session in a tanning bed increases the user’s chance of developing melanoma by 20 percent. Yet more than a quarter of 17-year-olds in the United States, and 20 percent of 16-year-olds have used indoor tanning facilities,” Radogno said in the release. “I know many kids don’t know or understand the health risks involved, and it is likely many parents don’t either. This legislation is not only an effort to save lives, but an educational opportunity, as well.”

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Illinois, California and Vermont are among states that have recently passed laws to restrict minors from visiting indoor tanning salons. California and Vermont are the only states with an outright ban on minors under age 18.

In 2010, 14 different states worked to pass legislation prohibiting minors from tanning indoors, and in 2012 that number increased to 20, Radogno said.

“Some Illinois communities—including Chicago and Springfield—already have bans on minors tanning indoors. This legislation would level the playing field throughout the state so that businesses in these communities aren’t at a competitive disadvantage with businesses just across their borders,” Radogno said in the release. “There are plenty of safe tanning alternatives out there like spray tanning and other services, which are often offered by the same businesses. There is absolutely no need for young people to take this unnecessary health risk.”

Spray-on tanning is exempt from the legislation, as is phototherapy, which applies to situations where a physician supervises tanning when it is necessary to treat a medical condition.

Radogno's bill now awaits consideration by House lawmakers.

Do you think minors should be banned from sunless tanning beds? Tell us in the comments.

 


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