Under 18 and Like Tanning? Not So Fast…

Unfortunately, you read the title of this post correctly. For minors nationwide, they may be in for a bit of a surprise the next time they visit the tanning salon. In several states around the country, lawmakers are pushing for a ban on underage tanning. They aim to regulate it in the same way that tobacco, alcohol and firearms are regulated.

For example, two states that come to mind include Washington and Illinois, where lawmakers are trying to push through bills that would make it illegal to tan under the age of 18. This so-called “tan-ban” has many people in an uproar.

After all, what’s really illegal about getting some sun? For that matter, even if you were banned from a tanning salon, how would that regulate when you tanned outside? Is it constitutional for states to ban underage tanning? 

In essence, they would have to fully enforce the law and start issuing citations to any teen caught sunbathing. So will beaches and wearing a swimsuit when you are outside and catching some rays now be illegal under the age of 18, too?

According to the CDC, 25% of all teens frequent tanning salons. But a ban, as the one being suggested here, imposed on them would NOT stop teen tanning. After all, the SUN is FREE for everyone. As are spray-on tans.

Lawmakers have until the end of Feb to push the bills in both states. If the bills pass, salons caught violating the law would be fined; so would teens.

What’s next? Beach patrol officers roving around issuing citations for teenagers catching some rays on the beach?

SERIOUSLY.

What do you think of the proposed ban on tan for teens?