Tanning danger concerns Miss Florida

*Kristin Wright

TAMPA - Florida is one of 17 states considering laws that would restrict indoor tanning among teenagers.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal for teens under 16 to use tanning beds, even if they have parental consent.

Senator Eleanor Sobel proposed the bill.

“There is no doubt that ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer,” Senator Sobel said Wednesday.

Miss Teen Florida Kayla Collier lobbied in Tallahassee in support of the proposed legislation. She was diagnosed with melanoma at age 16.

“Now, of course, I will never be able to find out if tanning beds were the cause that I had from getting cancer. However, it has been proven that tanning beds do cause cancer,” said Collier, who is now 18.

The group Florida Indoor Tanning Salon Owners disputes Sobel’s claim that tanning beds emit ultra-violet rays 100 times stronger than the sun.

The owner of Soho Tan Spas in Tampa is glad lawmakers are concerned about young people, but he feels moderation is the key. He also wonders if the bill really makes sense.

“You can’t stop them going outside. You can’t stop from them from going to the pool or beach or tanning anywhere,” said Robert Shanstrom.

17-year-old Rosie Posada uses the tanning bed before school dances. She and her mother Irene Rodriguez don’t believe the bill is a good idea.

“I think that if a parent consents to it, then it’s their choice,” said Posada.

Rodriguez says she thinks it’s fine for teens under 16 to use tanning beds, as long as their parents know.

“I think with moderation it should be allowed, as long as the parent is aware that they’re going,” she said.

Tampa Dermatology’s Dr. Paul Rose says it’s true that cases of skin cancers are up.

“Unfortunately, more and more. In particular, we’re seeing more and more children with skin cancers and serious skin cancers,” he explained, adding that in Florida, we live in a climate with tremendous U.V. exposure as it is.

“To start that process at such a young age doesn’t really help because then you’re ingraining into the person the idea that it’s okay to do this and, I hate to say this, they become almost addicted to the idea that they have to be tan,” said Rose.

While Shanstrom believes 15 is a little too young to visit the tanning salon, he thinks Sobel’s bill infringes upon rights.

“In the United States, one of the reasons why we live here is so that people can make their own choices,” he said.

The bill would also require parents of 16 and 17 year olds to give consent in person, before their teenagers could use a tanning bed.

The proposal still faces votes in two more committees, before it can move on to the full Senate.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/Teen_tanning_bill_032509