Should Minors Be Allowed to Use Tanning Beds?
SodaHead News
2012/05/10 22:00:00
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In the wake of controversy surrounding Patricia Krentcil, who was accused of putting her 6-year-old daughter into a tanning booth, New York lawmakers are contemplating an outright ban on the use of tanning booths for minors. But Krentcil's case isn't the only reason it's being considered. Officials say they're concerned about teen use, particularly around prom, and the 72 percent increase in melanoma that The American Cancer Society has reported over the last decade.
A similar law was proposed in Chicago by Alderman Debra Silverstein, who told CBS, "When I saw this news story about [Krentcil] on the news, I was like, we really have to do something. We have laws against selling cigarettes to minors, because it causes cancer, and tanning in the tanning beds causes cancer." Unfortunately for much of the nation, Snooki is over 18, so she'll be allowed to continue tanning regardless. But is the proposed ban taking it too far?
A similar law was proposed in Chicago by Alderman Debra Silverstein, who told CBS, "When I saw this news story about [Krentcil] on the news, I was like, we really have to do something. We have laws against selling cigarettes to minors, because it causes cancer, and tanning in the tanning beds causes cancer." Unfortunately for much of the nation, Snooki is over 18, so she'll be allowed to continue tanning regardless. But is the proposed ban taking it too far?
Top Opinion
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Joanna the Great 2012/05/10 23:12:58
The tanning that is created by that doesn't even look natural.
I would 10 times more prefer to get burnt under the sun,that this.
It is up to the childs PARENTS. Or should be.
They should be able to get enough sun with a daily swim.
Problem is, kids don't really get this. They think, "Oh, it won't happen to me. I'm young. A little bit of tan won't hurt me, and I'll look golden."
Kids shouldn't be allowed at tanning beds, regardless of whether their parents want to let them or not. If you're eighteen, fine, you're old enough to make idiot choices. You're on your own. But before that, parents should be doing all they can to DISCOURAGE tanning, not encourage it.
Personally, I think tanning beds should be outlawed, period. They're nowhere near as safe as they'd like you to think they are. You're basically cooking your skin, in a manner that is comparable to putting meat on a spit and cooking until tender. Most people get ALL the sun they need as a matter of daily course, and tanning beds-- even just one session-- give you way too much.
It also makes you look worse in the long run. Too much sun gives you a weathered face, too much tan does the same.
I know some people will say "Get the gov't out of our lives!" or "We should let adults do it", and I take exception to this. Firstly, kids follow the example of adults. When we go out, for example, and there's a place with alcohol, my family will often let me taste a bit of it or have a s...
Problem is, kids don't really get this. They think, "Oh, it won't happen to me. I'm young. A little bit of tan won't hurt me, and I'll look golden."
Kids shouldn't be allowed at tanning beds, regardless of whether their parents want to let them or not. If you're eighteen, fine, you're old enough to make idiot choices. You're on your own. But before that, parents should be doing all they can to DISCOURAGE tanning, not encourage it.
Personally, I think tanning beds should be outlawed, period. They're nowhere near as safe as they'd like you to think they are. You're basically cooking your skin, in a manner that is comparable to putting meat on a spit and cooking until tender. Most people get ALL the sun they need as a matter of daily course, and tanning beds-- even just one session-- give you way too much.
It also makes you look worse in the long run. Too much sun gives you a weathered face, too much tan does the same.
I know some people will say "Get the gov't out of our lives!" or "We should let adults do it", and I take exception to this. Firstly, kids follow the example of adults. When we go out, for example, and there's a place with alcohol, my family will often let me taste a bit of it or have a sip or two. Harmless, right? In this case, yes. A little bit of alcohol is typically healthy, and the tiny amounts I get are negligible in any case. But if kids grow up seeing their role models use tanning beds, even if they're not allowed to do it until they're 16-18, they're extremely likely to start once they're legally allowed-- and are also likely to find alternatives to tanning to try and match what one gets in a tanning bed (e.g: sunbathing).
We don't want our government to let businesses sell us things that aren't up to standard or under false pretenses. Why should we allow tanning beds to be an exception, then? They are neither safe nor healthy in any way, shape, or form-- despite the fact that they heavily advertise giving good skin, they do the exact opposite. Cut them.
Why do we need the government to run peoples' lives?
If a tanning store wants to make rules for customers, great.
Let the parent decide.