House debate on tanning bed age restrictions sparks debate on the safety of tanning
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House debate on tanning bed age restrictions sparks debate on the safety of tanning

Date: February 13, 2013
By: Katie Kreider
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 47

Intro: 
As tanning becomes more popular among teenage women, Missouri lawmakers are evaluating just how dangerous it can be.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Medical student Katelyn Davis gave emotional testimony in favor of a bill that would force kids under 17 to get parental permission to use tanning beds.

Actuality:  KDAVIS2.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "I saw women not much older than me coming into the office without a care in the world--a baby in their carriage--and leaving with a diagnosis of melanoma. And that was terrifying to me...all because I wanted to be tan for a prom?"

According to the World Health Organization, teenage tanners are 75 percent more likely to get melanoma after just one tan in a bed.

Joseph Levy had a different perspective, saying that avoiding UV because it leads to melanoma...

Actuality:  LEVY3.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: "Is like saying that water leads to drowning and we should therefore avoid water."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Katie Kreider.

Intro: 
Lawmakers are debating a bill that would require teens under the age of 17 to get parental consent before they bronze.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The House heard emotional debate on Wednesday about a bill that would require teens under 17 to get parental consent to use tanning beds.

Bill Sponsor Gary Cross shared his personal story about his 24-year-old daughter, who started tanning regularly at the age of 15.

Actuality:  CROSS4.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "2012, the last week of the session, she was diagnosed with basal cell cancer. I'm telling you, that's a wake-up call."

The World Health Organization says that tanners are getting even younger--noting that 65 percent of tanning salons would allow children under 10 to tan.

However, Joseph Levy of the American Suntanning Association says that tanning beds are no more dangerous than a day at the beach.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Katie Kreider.