Bill pulls plug on indoor tanning devices for minors

HELENA – Members of a state panel heard a bill Friday that would pull the plug on letting anyone under 18 use an indoor tanning device.

The House Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Sen. Roger Webb, R-Billings, who said Montana has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the United States, saying it was higher than sunshine states of Florida, Hawaii and California.

Webb said his bill would prevent minors from using indoor tanning devices. The bill defines tanning device as equipment that emits electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 400 nanometers.

He said melanoma was the second-highest form of cancer in females 15-29.

Webb said the World Health Organization categorizes tanning devices in its highest cancer risk category of class 1, the same risk given to tobacco products.

The bill passed the Senate on Feb. 25 with a 26-24 vote. The House Judiciary Committee did not take immediate action on Friday.

Those who supported the bill included Dr. Charlotte Kutsch, a dermatologist who said the chances of skin cancer increases when people use a tanning bed.

Vicky Byrd of the Montana Nurses Association also supported the bill saying tanning beds pose a serious public health issue.

Joseph Levy, director of scientific affairs of the American Suntanning Association, opposed the bill.

“It’s not an industrial chemical we are talking about,” he said. “We are talking about sunlight and essential element of life.”

The question is how much sun should a person get?

He said professional trained operators control time in a sunbed. Also, parental consent forms are standard in tanning salons.

“We teach people there are risks to overexposure to Ultra Violet rays,” Levy said. “The key to it is balance.”

The ACLU of Montana said they opposed the bill because it had a criminal charge, rather than a civil penalty.

Webb said he has requested an amendment to move the penalty from criminal to civil.

“Young people will be young people, they don’t know …” Webb said.

In his closing comments Webb said all the bill was asking this body was to help control the potential aspects of cancer to young people.

“Cancer is cancer, it can happen,” he said.

Veteran journalist Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.

To know more

To read Senate Bill 21, go to: https://bit.ly/2Fsvo65