FORT WORTH, TX -- A bill introduced in the Texas legislature would require anyone under 18 to have a written doctor’s consent before using a tanning bed.
Under the bill, tanning visits would be limited by the attending physician, and parents would need to supply written consent for teens to tan.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, who filed House Bill 1310 to prevent teens from putting themselves at risk for skin cancer.
"The studies are pretty clear now that you shouldn’t be doing a lot of tanning, so why are we letting minors go to tanning salons?" Solomons told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The American Cancer Society says 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18.
The Star-Telegram reports that 29 states have laws in place to restrict teen tanning salon use. In 2001, Texas passed a law requiring those under 13 to get a doctor’s consent before using a tanning salon.
Amanda Augustine, general manager of World Gym in Beaumont, TX, told KFDM, a local TV news station, that she favors the bill and doesn’t feel the club’s profits would be affected.
"I would recommend, to make a decision on health, you should be at least 18 years or older. It is a health concern," Augustine told KFDM.
Augustine said her club is required by law to alert members to the dangers of tanning before they use the tanning facilities.
The bill could be voted on during the current legislative session.