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Is your state keeping teens safe from skin cancer?

August 3, 2017

Exposure to UV radiation, through sunlight or from tanning beds, is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Despite the serious risks, many teens still frequently use tanning beds. Recent data shows that one in six high school girls use tanning beds by the time they reach their senior year.

To discourage teens from using tanning beds, states should pass laws prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using them. A CDC study found that restricting indoor tanning for teens would prevent over 61,000 melanoma cases! Currently 15 states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting teens from using tanning beds. Is your state one of them? Find out in ACS CAN’s How Do You Measure Up? Report.