Hawaii Bans Indoor Tanning For Minors

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed into law a bill that bans indoor tanning in minors under 18. Hawaii joins Vermont, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Nevada, Texas and Washington by passing legislation that prohibits minors under the age of 18 from indoor tanning. The law is effective immediately. Support for the ban was provided by the AADA, AIM at Melanoma, American Cancer Society – Cancer Action Network, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, Hawaii Department of Health, and the Hawaii Skin Cancer Coalition.

“The American Academy of Dermatology Association is proud to have supported this legislation and commends the state of Hawaii for joining the fight against skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer,” says board-certified dermatologist Brett M. Coldiron, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). “The science is clear. The risk for developing melanoma increases by 59 percent in individuals who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices, and the risks increase with each subsequent use. Since 2.3 million teens tan indoors in the United States annually, restricting teens’ access to indoor tanning is critical to preventing skin cancer.”