Tanning can cause cancer--it's something we all know. But now, parents want tanning to be banned for underage kids because it's easier than saying no.
Chicago Aldermen Suggest Tanning Ban
Teens under 18 shouldn't be allowed to tan, officials say.
Web2Carz Contributing Writer
Published: June 4th, 2012
I
n accordance with the recent trends of people being told they're unable to make their own choices, a panel of Chicago aldermen is considering placing a ban on tanning for teens under the age of 18, even if they have parental permission.
Alderman Debra Silverstein, of the 50th district, said, "I think that as a mother it is so important that we take care of our children...We do regulate cigarettes that causes[sic] cancer. I think this causes cancer as well."
With the proposed guidelines, a tanning salon that allows someone under 18 to use tanning beds would be fined between $100 and $250.
Donna Moncivaiz, 50, said she and her two daughters all used tanning beds, but that she thought nothing of it until she was diagnosed with skin cancer.
The aldermen agreed to the movement after testimony from two skin cancer patients, ages 50 and 24, both of whom have been treated for malignant melanomas in recent years.
Donna Moncivaiz, 50, said she and her two daughters all used tanning beds, and "never really thought a thing of it until [she] was diagnosed last summer."
This throws us a bit. It's okay for you and your children, and you encouraged it, but now that you're acknowledging it's a bad habit, everyone should be banned from doing it?
The amount of face-palming we are doing regarding this is absurd. We all know that UV rays cause cancer. And we all know that tanning beds are stronger than the actual sun. But if it's okay for people older than 18, why not make it okay for everyone with parental consent? Or should we only be worrying about skin cancer in young people?
Unsurprisingly, no one from tanning businesses spoke at the hearing, but John Overstreet, Executive Director of the D.C.-based Indoor Tanning Association said, "[We] believe that the decision regarding whether or not a teen is allowed to suntan is a decision for parents, not government." Illinois law already bans people under 14 from tanning salons, and those 14-17 need to have in-person parental permission in order to use the equipment.
We say it's about time parents learn how to tell their kids "no" rather than having the government force it upon them.
