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California bans use of tanning beds by minors

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LOS ANGELES | Sun Oct 9, 2011 5:15pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Minors in the state of California will no longer be allowed to use tanning beds after Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sunday prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using ultraviolet tanning devices.

California is the first state in the nation to ban minors from using tanning beds, legislators said.

Previously, California had banned minors under the age of 14 from using tanning beds, but allowed those between 14 and 18 years of age to use tanning beds with parental consent.

The bill was part of a cluster of legislation signed on Sunday designed to "improve the health and well-being of Calfornians," according to a statement from the Governor's office.

"I praise Gov. Brown for his courage in taking this much-needed step to protect some of California's most vulnerable residents -- our kids -- from what the 'House of Medicine' has conclusively shown is lethally dangerous: ultraviolet-emitting radiation from tanning beds," the bill's sponsor, state Senator Ted Lieu, said in a statement.

"If everyone knew the true dangers of tanning beds, they'd be shocked. Skin cancer is a rising epidemic and the leading cause of cancer death for women between 25 and 29."

The law will go into effect on January 1, 2012, according to Lieu's office.

(Reporting by Mary Slosson. Editing by Peter Bohan)
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Comments (114)
Thesencho wrote:
Glad to see Brown is dealing with the really important issues in California. People can’t find work, can’t afford basics, and the state is collapsing from all sides…but children are safer now that UV beds are banned to them.

Oct 09, 2011 5:42pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
JoeKiplinger wrote:
Apparently they can get an abortion without parental approval but cannot get a tan.

Oct 09, 2011 5:44pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
BetelgeuseBoom wrote:
Great, now all those tanning hooligans are gonna be out on the public beaches. Probably joining tan gangs.

Oct 09, 2011 5:45pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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