Underage Tanning Ban Passes In State Legislative Committee

A bill to ban indoor tanning for people younger than 18 was approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee.

Those who support the bill say tanning beds are dangerous, but those against it are fighting back.

There’s no denying that tanning is a part of American culture, but doctors say that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

“Children think that because something is legal, it’s safe,” said Dr. Lindsay Sewell, president of the Idaho Dermatology Society. “That’s not always true.”

The Idaho state Legislature wants to make it illegal for people younger than 18.

“Tanning causes skin cancer,” Sewell said.

Those in the business of indoor tanning say the beds aren’t as bad as doctors make them out to be.

“People in our area are not getting the exposure they should to keep their bones healthy,” said Colleen Skaar, who owns two tanning salons in Idaho Falls.

Skaar is so confident in the benefits of tanning, she told us she started her grandson on a tanning regiment when he was 4 years old.

“It is so much better for [kids’] skin if they tanned in that controlled environment,” Skaar said.

Tanning professionals are quick to point out the one doctor who they believe is on their side.

“The tanning industry has just been endorsed by Dr. Oz, which is huge,” Skaar said.

The claim is that the well-known Dr. Oz acknowledged that ultraviolet rays help the body absorb vitamin D. Still, dermatologists refute that claim.

“We can also get [vitamin D] from supplements,” Sewell said. “To say that we need a cancer-causing agent to go and get our vitamins, I think, is a little improper.”

The only state that currently has this type of ban in effect is California.