Skin Doctor Urges Ban On Tanning Beds For Teens Under 18

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would toughen state regulations for tanning salons by prohibiting all teens under 18 from using the facilities.

Current state law allows children between 14 and 17 to visit tanning salons with parental permission.

On Tuesday, several dermatologists testified before the Legislature's Public Health Committee that they had seen a sharp rise in the number of young people diagnosed with melanoma _ the deadliest form of skin cancer _ citing what they believed was a link to the increased use of sunbeds.

A representative of the American Suntanning Association said the risks associated with the salons were overstated and warned that a ban would send teens to unlicensed tanning beds in non-professional facilities. (Associated Press)