Statement from Blair Horner, Vice President for Advocacy, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding Assembly passage of bill to ban indoor tanning to minors.
“Indoor tanning is dangerous and kids should not be exposed to it – that’s the clear message that the Assembly is sending by passing a bill to ban access to indoor tanning for minors under age 18. Now the Senate must act to protect kids from indoor tanning.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized indoor tanning beds as a top cancer risk- group 1 - 'carcinogenic to humans.’ That’s the same class as arsenic, asbestos, and cigarette smoke, substances to which society does not willingly expose children. According to the WHO, use of tanning beds before the age of 30 increases the risk of melanoma 75 percent. Melanoma rates among young, white females - the primary users of indoor tanning beds – are growing at alarming rates.
We thank the Assembly sponsors and supporters, led by Harvey Weisenberg, for their dedication and commitment to this issue.”
###
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.