April 7, 2008
Judge Tom
1

Should tanning salons be off limits to teens?

Restrictions on tanning for teens

In 2007, North Dakota passed a law prohibiting anyone under 14 from using a tanning salon. Older teens must have written permission from a parent or guardian.

At least two dozen other states have similar restrictions on teens tanning by artificial ultraviolet rays. You might look great after your session but the risk includes skin cancer, age spots and wrinkles. Recent studies show that your chances of getting melanoma increase 75% by using tanning lights before age 35.

Photo by nicsaurusrex (Flickr)

Some argue that, like tobacco and alcohol, salons should be regulated and put off-limits to teens. Others argue against more laws and government interference, favoring education over regulation. The World Health Organization wants to restrict tanning salons for anyone under 18.

Update: California is the first state in the country to completely ban minors from indoor tanning. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2012.

What do you think? Do we need laws about everything? Or should common sense be given more credit? Are you going to intentionally put yourself in danger? If this issue was on your state’s ballot at election time, how would you vote?

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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1 Comment

  • Elin
    June 30, 2011 12:56 am count( 0 )

    I think it would be extremely beneficial for teens to be restricted from the use of tanning salons. Tanning Salons in the first place are extremely bad for your health. They ruin your skin and have been known to cause cancer on more than one account. Also, teens are easily pushed to do things they normally wouldn’t because of peer pressure and bullying. It would be absolutely horrible for one of those kids to get cancer just because someone else didn’t like the way they looked.
    Good point, Elin. Thanks.