News
Senator recognized by American Cancer Society for new law restricting indoor tanning
December 3, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin has been recognized by the Rhode Island branch of the American Cancer Society for her efforts to ban anyone who is under 18 years old from using an indoor tanning bed.
Goodwin sponsored a new law which prohibits the use of indoor tanning beds for anyone who is under the age of 18.
“I’m very grateful to the American Cancer Society for this award and for being a strong advocate in this effort to protect children from this dangerous and unnecessary exposure to a carcinogen,” Goodwin said. “We are now finally treating tanning like the public health threat that it really is. It is irresponsible to allow kids to put their lives at risk so unnecessarily, and this legislation will take that option off the table."
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one indoor tanning session before the age of 35 increases a person’s risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75%.
Since 2013, anyone under 18 has been banned from using indoor tanning beds in the state of Rhode Island, unless a parent signed a written consent form.
In June, the General Assembly eliminated parental consent and removed an exemption that allowed minors to use tanning beds with a prescription from a doctor.
The legislation does not apply to spray tanning.