The AP reports that Illinois, Rhode Island, New York, and Ohio have considered similar laws, so you can expect that other states will start following suit. There’s evidence that the UV exposure you get using tanning beds can lead to malanoma (and rates are increasing in young women), so presumably that was the driving force behind the legislation. After age 18, you’re legal and responsible for your own stupid decisions (I have the tattoos to prove this logic), including whether or not you want to look like an extra from the Jersey Shore.
What’s even more eff’ed up here is that the Indoor Tanning Association is saying it will hurt their business, since five to ten percent of its customers are under 18. The AP article notes that there are more tanning salons in Los Angeles County than Starbucks or McDonald’s, which is slightly ridiculous, because isn’t LA like the sunniest place on earth?
The fake tanning spray manufacturers and marketers are surely rubbing their hands in glee anticipating this potential new market.
