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Bill Would Ban Minors From Tanning Booths

Valerie Yermal http://goo.gl/rUSQFX

A new bill filed in Florida would ban minors from using tanning beds, unless they’ve got doctor’s orders to climb in.

Under current Florida law minors can use tanning beds if they’ve got permission from their parents. But  Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) wants to change that in order to protect teens from skin cancers associated with using tanning beds.

“Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for 15 to 25 year-olds and the most common form of cancer for 25 to 29 year-olds,” Sobel said.

Sobel’s bill makes an exception for teens using tanning beds for doctor recommended treatments for certain skin issues. If the measure passes, those who break the rule would face fines and even prison time.

Follow @Regan_McCarthy

Regan McCarthy is the Assistant News Director for WFSU Public Media. Before coming to Tallahassee, Regan graduated with honors from Indiana University’s Ernie Pyle School of Journalism. She worked for several years for NPR member station WFIU in Bloomington, Ind., where she covered local and state government and produced feature and community stories.

Phone: (850) 645-6090 | rmccarthy@fsu.edu

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