COLUMBIA, SC – January 14, 2020 – As lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is pursuing legislation that will ease the burden of cancer in South Carolina. The latest edition of the ACS CAN’s How Do You Measure Up? report shows that South Carolina can do better when it comes to implementing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer.
ACS CAN is working to protect kids from the dangers of indoor tanning by advocating for legislation that prohibits the use of indoor tanning devices and facilities by youth under the age of 18. In an effort to reduce cancer risk from the damaging UV radiation emitted by indoor tanning devices, ACS CAN is asking state legislators to pass bills H. 3807 and S. 432 to restrict youth access, ensure all consumers are properly informed of their risk prior to use, and require all indoor tanning devices to be properly regulated with effective enforcement provisions in place.
Current parental consent provisions for indoor tanning fall short of protecting children and adolescents from skin cancer. One of the most common cancer diagnoses among young people, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Prevention Act (H. 3807) passed out of the House this year and remains in the Senate awaiting a hearing.
ACS CAN volunteers look forward to meeting with lawmakers during ACS CAN’s annual Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 5. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at www.fightcancer.org/SC.
For the latest statistics on cancer’s impact in South Carolina, click here.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.