Hawaii says no more indoor tanning for minors

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Written by Nell Alcantara

A new law, which prohibits indoor tanning device access by adolescents, took effect July 1, 2014, in Hawaii.

A new law, which prohibits indoor tanning device access by adolescents, took effect July 1, 2014, in Hawaii. The new law prohibits children and teenagers under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning facilities โ€“ protecting youth in the state from the cancer risks associated with indoor tanning use.

โ€œThe American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds Gov. Abercrombie and the Hawaii Legislature for their support in protecting young people from increased skin cancer risk associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by indoor tanning devices,โ€ said Cory Chun, government relations director for ACS CAN in Hawaii. โ€œMore specifically, based on a review of the best science currently available, ACS CAN supports this law that will entirely prohibit minorsโ€™ use of indoor tanning devices due to an increased risk for skin cancer.โ€

According to ACS CAN, Hawaii becomes the eighth state, joining California, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas and Vermont, to pass legislation prohibiting tanning device usage for minors under the age of 18. Several other states have introduced, or are in the process of introducing, similar measures.

ACS CAN also said skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. This year, it is estimated that more than 1.6 million Americans will be newly diagnosed with cancer and more than 585,720 will die. In Hawaii alone, 6,640 people will be diagnosed and 2,450 will die. Exposure to UV radiation, either from sunlight or indoor tanning devices, is the most important, avoidable known risk factor for skin cancer.

ACS CAN added: “Hawaiiโ€™s comprehensive law prohibits the use of tanning devices by minors without exemptions. Any UV radiation exposure during childhood and adolescence increases skin cancer risks.” It claims its volunteer advocates “were hard at work to convince legislators that access to tanning devices by adolescents risks a future diagnosis of melanoma or other skin abnormality.”

โ€œSigning this bill into law delivers the message that Hawaii lawmakers consider minorsโ€™ use of indoor tanning devices is a health risk to be taken seriously,โ€ said Chun.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a critical step to protect Americans from the dangers of indoor tanning devices by strengthening the oversight of these devices. The FDAโ€™s order requires manufacturers to display visible warning labels on sunlamp products that state they should not be used by those under 18. The finalized order also reclassifies tanning devices from low-risk (class I) to moderate-risk (class II) devices.

ACS CAN added” “Despite considerable evidence, there is a general misconception among adults and adolescents about the potential harms of using these devices. Indoor tanning devices deliver UV radiation 5-15 times higher than what is delivered by the summer midday sun. Furthermore, multiple studies demonstrate that indoor tanners receive sunburns or suffer other skin damage after indoor tanning sessions.

“Minors under the age of 18, are particularly at risk to the damages associated with UV radiation and overexposure as their skin is not fully developed and their skin cells are dividing and changing more rapidly than those of adults. Those that use indoor tanning devices before the age of 35 are 59 percent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and other skin cancers.

“The incidence of melanoma in the United States is increasing rapidly in children and young adults. Melanoma is now the second most common form of cancer for women aged 15-29 years and the most common form of cancer for young adults aged 25-29 years. In Hawaii, some 410 new cases of melanoma are estimated to be diagnosed in 2014.”

An official bill signing ceremony with Governor Neil Abercrombie took place today, July 2.

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Nell Alcantara

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