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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > May > 06 > Entry
Combs aims to ban teen tanning
Press release from state Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton:
State Representatives Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) and Lorraine Fende (D- Willowick) today introduced legislation which would prohibit the sale of indoor tanning to anyone under the age of 18 unless permission has been granted through a prescription by a physician.
The current law requires that consumers under 18 obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to receiving tanning services. House Bill 173 seeks to eliminate such wording to protect teens from the early onset of serious medical conditions.
“Many have clamored that if we prohibit the use of tanning beds for minors we might as well ban poolside and beach tanning, but that argument is moot,” Combs said. “The amount of radiation produced during indoor tanning, in many cases, is stronger that the sun. There is direct evidence that exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning damages the DNA in the skin cells. Studies have shown that 80 percent of skin damage happens before the age of 18.”
Skin cancer has become an epidemic over the last 20 years in the United States as cases have risen from 500,000 to 1.2 million annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Among women between the ages of 25-29, melanoma is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Women between the ages of 30-34 die from melanoma more often than other forms of cancer, with the exception of breast cancer. For men between the ages of 20-29, melanoma is the most deadly form of cancer.
“The numbers associated with skin cancer in the United States are staggering,” Fende said. “Our goal with this bill is to create precautionary measures to help ensure a healthy future for our young people today. The perceived cosmetic gains are not worth the irrevocable damage from the intense UV radiation.”
Currently there are 20 other states considering similar legislation. House Bill 173 is supported by various groups including the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Dermatological Society, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The bill will now be referred to a House committee for further discussion.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
Comments
By JMB
May 6, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Combs needs to work on important legislation like school funding, employment, taxes and government spending waste not tanning unless he can pass a law to keep kids out of the sun. Sun bathing takes hours and is also harmful. Tanning beds are a shorter time period. With the same exposure the sun causes the same damage. Please get the facts straight from both sides and start making smart decisions. We need better representation not just a list for your reelection brochures.
By Paul
May 7, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Here is something that would be worthwhile Corky, introduce a bill that would stop county sheriff’s from paying their supporters to do property appraisals in foreclosure cases. You can save money by simply using the Auditors appraisal. Bet you don’t do that and upset your buddy Rickie.
By jerry
May 7, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
Government has NO business in this. This legislation is pure evil. The road to HELL is paved with “Good Intentions”.; ie it’s for the “children”, it’s for “your health”, etc. We are sinking in dept. My tax dollars have better use than to monitor someone’s behavior. Both State Reps. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton, and Lorraine Fende, D-Willowick, are trying to gain points by appearing to be careing…classic move. :)
By Alan
May 7, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
Gov’t indeed has no role here. It would be far more judicious for Rep. Combs to focus on the state school funding issue, although education doesn’t appear to be either his strength or interest.
By Wanda
May 7, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this
Corky, you should tell your friend John Boehner about the dangers of tanning. You might mention smoking and drinking while you have him on the line.
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