Statement from Blair Horner, Vice President for Advocacy, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding Gov. Cuomo signing a bill to prohibit access to indoor tanning facilities for kids under age 17.
“The new law prohibiting children under 17 from using indoor tanning will protect a significant portion of the teen population. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 10 percent of 14 year olds, 12 percent of 15 year olds and 15 percent of 16 year olds have used indoor tanning facilities. By banning indoor tanning for those 16 years old and younger, New York is providing significant cancer protections.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), those with a history of indoor tanning before the age of 30 have a 75 percent increased chance for developing melanoma. That's why the WHO has urged a ban for all of those under the age of 18. The American Cancer Society (ACS) will continue to advocate for an expansion of the ban to cover all minors.
ACS urges the NYS Department of Health to revisit its regulation of the indoor tanning industry to ensure that 17 year olds and adult users are protected to the greatest extent possible. Regulations must include a stronger parental consent form, tougher enforcement of laws and regulations, and heightened warnings about the dangers of indoor tanning.
Thank you to Gov. Cuomo for signing the bill and to the chief legislative sponsors, Senator Charles Fuschillo and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg for their dedication and hard work on this issue."
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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.