HEALTH

Advocates call for tighter regulations on tanning beds

Aug 7, 2019, 12:25 PM

Photo: KSL TV Lawmakers in the Utah House have passed an updated bill to ban minors from using tanning beds even with parental consent. The bill was originally dropped earlier in the session.

SALT LAKE CITY — Tanning beds need better regulations, advocates for skin health say.

Utah is currently ranked #1 in the nation for new cases of Melanoma. Those same advocates say the state needs to do a better job preventing skin cancer.

Brook Carlisle with the American Cancer Society believes it has a lot to do with the law and a little to do with education on the dangers of indoor tanning devices, too.

A new report from the Cancer Action Network shows the trend in artificial tanning, especially in tanning beds, is placing young women increasingly at risk for melanoma.

Carlisle, along with other advocates, says Utah can make good headway on preventing skin cancer by tightening laws surrounding tanning beds.

Current Utah law only prohibits people from using tanning beds more than once in a 24 hours period but as of right now, anyone under 18 just needs adult permission to use indoor tanning devices.

There is a bill is expected in the next session that would ban indoor tanning altogether for anyone under the age of 18.

That law is in line with what Carlisle says the best practices around tanning beds are. She says anyone under the age of 18 shouldn’t be allowed to use them at all, but that the dangers don’t stop the older you get. She says the dangers extend at least all the way up to age 35.

“I think there’s a lack of appreciation for how dangerous they truly are, so I think there’s a lot of public education that needs to be done. We know that one use of a tanning bed under the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 59%.”

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

19 hours ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

1 day ago

Over 30% of people in Utah are considred prediabetic because of the amount of soda they drink....

Amanda Dickson

Is Utah’s soda obsession behind our levels of prediabetes?

Here in Utah, our soda drinking habits might be making us particularly at risk for prediabetes and diabetes.

2 days ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

3 days ago

Small screens...

Don Brinkerhoff

Small screens impacting the mental health of kids says study

The increased use of small screens by kids and teens may be linked to increased mental health issues according to a study.

3 days ago

bottles of prescription medication at a desk. 16.2% of Utahns are unable to get the prescription me...

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Utah ranks second in the nation for prescription medication shortages

The hardest prescription medication to get is for ADHD, cancer and high blood pressure.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Advocates call for tighter regulations on tanning beds