New Montgomery County Ordinance Will Save Lives from Skin Cancer
Montgomery County Joins Howard County in Passing Indoor Tanning Ordinance
On July 19, 2016 several members of the Save Your Skin Coalition gathered earlier today at the Stella Werner Council Office Building to celebrate a Montgomery County ordinance that will go into effect tomorrow, July 20 prohibiting minors from using indoor tanning beds in the county.
The Save Your Skin Coalition includes the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the Maryland Dermatologic Society (MDS) and the American Academy of Dermatology Association. (AADA).
“I am proud to lead the effort to make Montgomery County one of the first local jurisdictions in Maryland to legislatively ban indoor tanning for all minors,” said Councilmember Tom Hucker who was on hand to be recognized by the coalition for his efforts. “Overexposure to ultraviolet light by children and teenagers is extremely dangerous and greatly increases the chance of developing skin cancer later in life. By following the advice of the World Health Organization, the US Surgeon General, and the American Academy of Pediatrics we are hopefully taking steps that will keep more of our kids healthy and safe.”
“Montgomery County has been a leader in this state on so many important public health issues, such as smoke-free workplaces,” said Bonita Pennino, government relations director in Maryland for ACS CAN. “It’s our hope that the leadership it’s showing on the issue of indoor tanning can help focus statewide attention on this issue and lead to legislation that will protect all youths in Maryland.”
The new ordinance prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning devices regardless of whether a fee is charged and prohibits any customer from using a tanning device more than once in a 24-hour period. Additionally, tanning facilities will be required to post signs regarding the age restriction and will be required to follow strict regulations with regard to timing devices.
“The AADA and MDS applaud the Montgomery County Council for passing this ban to protect its young people from the health risks associated with indoor tanning and to potentially save lives,” said Larry Green, MD, FAAD, who testified in support of the bill on behalf of MDS and AADA. “Researchers estimate that indoor tanning may cause upwards of 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year. I hope that this ban in Montgomery County will inspire other counties to consider legislation that prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning facilities.”
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and melanoma is one of the most common cancer diagnosed in young adults. Using a tanning device before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59 percent and the chance of squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent.
“Montgomery County is forward thinking in protecting teens from skin cancer,” said Jill Allbritton, M.D. a member of the MDS Executive Committee. “This ordinance will make a significant difference in preventing skin cancers among our youth.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,590 Maryland residents are diagnosed annually with melanoma of the skin and 190 are expected to die from the disease. Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are far more common, but the exact number of people who develop or die from these forms of the disease because they are not tracked by state cancer registries.
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