Every year in the U.S. nearly 30 million people tan indoors. Of these, 2.3 million are teens. Melanoma rates among young women have soared 50% since the 1980’s, a trend that has paralleled a rise in the use of tanning salons. 

The World Health Organization (WHO), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) have all called for a ban on ALL indoor tanning by minors. The United States Food and Drug Administration also recommends that no one under the age of 18 use these devices. Presently, there are only 11 states that have passed laws that ban the use of commercial tanning devices for minors under 18 years of age: California, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Vermont, Minnesota, Louisiana, Hawaii, Delaware, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. Washington and Oregon passed laws prohibiting minors under the age of 18 years old from using indoor tanning devices, unless a prescription by a physician. There are another 28 states in the U.S. that have restrictions on a minor’s use of indoor tanning parlors but typically all that is required is a signed permission slip for those under the age of 18.

As a citizen and a constituent, you are in a powerful position to influence policymakers.

A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing a disease, including cancer.By knowing your risk factors, you can take steps to reduce your chances of developing melanoma or increase your chances of finding the disease in its early, more treatable stages.

UV Exposure: 
Frequent and intense exposure to UV radiation, either from the sun or from indoor tanning devices, is the major risk factor for melanoma. It has been shown that repetitive and severe sunburns (sunburns that result in blistering), especially in childhood, put one at risk for melanoma.

Did you know that 25% of melanoma cases occur in people under age 40? 

Teen and Young Adults:
Melanoma incidence in Caucasian men aged 15 to 39 has increased from 4.7 cases per 100,000 people in 1973 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2004. But at the same time, cases among Caucasian women rose from 5.5 to 13.9 per 100,000. The upsurge among young women is thought to be due to behavioral changes, specifically an increased amount of sun tanning and the use of tanning devices.

*** WHY I CARE ***

My father, John Martin George fought stage-4 Melanoma for more than two years. Melanoma claimed his life on December 30th 2014, I was 25 years old. I watched my father work tirelessly in the sun as a Commercial Pool Engineer without protecting his skin. Melanoma is one if the most aggressive kinds of cancers on the market, and I would never wish for anyone to have to watch their loved one deal with what our family has. Trial treatments and drugs, living life in 12-week increments praying for tumors to shrink at each new PET scan... only to get failed news each time. At the time of his passing melanoma tumors covered most of his organs: lungs, liver, stomach, brain, etc. I wasn't ready to say good-bye to my father, I'm not quite done growing up yet. Unfortunately, I wasn't given a choice. I refuse to let my fathers battle go unheard and his death certainly won't be in vain. My mission is to disrupt, get the conversation going and affect change. 

The SB 414 (Use of a Tanning Facility by a Minor) is currently "In Council" with The Committee on Criminal Justice. 

In 2014, the Criminal Justice Committee killed this bill. 
In 2015, the Health Policy Committee killed this bill. 
In 2016, how will you make the difference?? 

Sincerely,
Kelsey Michelle George
JMG Foundation