Caputo,
Johnson, Greenwald, Conaway & Lampitt Measure Would Bar Anyone Under 17 from
Using Tanning Beds
(TRENTON) – The General
Assembly on Thursday voted 57-12-7 to approve a revamped measure sponsored by
Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Gordon Johnson, Louis
Greenwald, Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D. and Pamela Lampitt that
would help protect teens from an increased risk of skin cancer by banning access
to tanning beds for anyone under 17 years old.
“While I would like to have seen the
age remain at 18, in the interest of protecting as many people as possible,
rather than no one, I think this is a healthy compromise that heightens
oversight. Increasing the age that individuals can begin exposing themselves to
tanning bed rays, will help delay their exposure to potentially cancer-causing
ultraviolet radiation,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “This bill is akin to when we
raised the tobacco purchasing age. Hopefully time delayed is life
saved.”
Caputo, the lead sponsor of
the bill, noted that it was first introduced last session, but the recent
incident involving the Nutley woman from his legislative district who
is accused of bringing her daughter into a tanning booth further underscores the
need for the legislation now.
According to the
National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control, individuals who
use indoor tanning devices before the age of 35, increase their risk for
melanoma by 75 percent.
“I’m sure there are
many adults out there who don’t realize how much greater the risk of skin cancer
is for young people who use tanning beds. This bill would help eliminate the
possibility that those unfamiliar with these risks would allow a minor to use a
tanning bed,” said Johnson (D-Bergen).
The Assembly had originally
passed a bill last month barring anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning
bed. In a compromise reached with the Senate, the bill (A-2142) would
now bar anyone under the age of 17 from using tanning beds in New Jersey, regardless of
whether they have obtained parental permission. However, the bill would allow
teens 14 years of age and older to use spray tanning, which does not expose them
to UV radiation the way a tanning bed does.
A person 17 years old would be
allowed to use a tanning bed, provided that a parent or guardian is present for
the initial consultation and purchases all tanning bed sessions for the minor
and provides proof of identification. Tanning facilities would be prohibited
from allowing anyone 17 years old to use a tanning bed on consecutive days and
required to monitor the frequency of their use and record all
appointments.
Emancipated minors would not be
subject to the provisions of the law.
The bill has also been amended to
impose penalties for violating the provisions of the bill as they relate to
minors’ use of tanning facilities, which would be $1,000 for the first offense
and $2,000 for the second offense, and $2,000 and a five-day suspension of the
facility’s registration and operation for a third and subsequent
offense.
“As a kid, it’s easy to feel
invincible to the effects of risky behaviors like smoking and tanning,” said
Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington). “But the earlier one engages in these habits,
the more deadly the long-term effects can be. Hopefully this will help stop or
at least limit potentially harmful exposure.”
“Ultimately, this is a practical,
life-saving measure,” said Conaway (D-Burlington). “A number of studies have
shown that the earlier a person starts using tanning beds, the greater their
risk of developing skin cancer.”
“Research shows that melanoma is on
the rise and the increase is greatest among young women, the largest demographic
of tanning bed users,” said Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington). “Hopefully this bill
will help educate everyone about the risks and ultimately save
lives.”
The bill would take effect six months
after enactment. Currently, California and
Vermont have
laws preventing minors under the age of 18 from using tanning beds. At least 25
other states have varying restrictions on teen tanning.
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