West Virginia Governor Signs Bill Protecting Youth from Risks of Skin Cancer

West Virginia Governor Signs

Bill Protecting Youth from Risks of Skin Cancer

CHARLESTON, WV – April 27, 2017 – Earlier today, Governor Jim Justice signed legislation that prohibits those under 18 from using indoor tanning devices in the state. HB2520 was passed by the House of Delegates and Senate earlier this session by overwhelming margins.  Following is a statement from Juliana Frederick, West Virginia’s government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:

“Scientific research leaves no doubt of the association between indoor tanning and skin cancer. Given this, we appreciate the enormous step forward West Virginia’s elected officials have taken toward protecting young people from this dangerous activity.  This law is an important step forward for public health in this state.

“There is no such thing as a ‘healthy’ tan, so it is important to guard the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays in order to reduce the risks of skin cancer.  We also know that the earlier a person starts tanning, the greater the risk of getting melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.”

Research has proven that using an indoor tanning device before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59 percent. And, the risk is even higher when tanning bed use begins before the age of 25.