MADISON – Last Friday, Governor Evers signed into law Senate Bill 261, preventative health legislation to encourage parental involvement in the decision of teenagers to use tanning beds. Under the bill authored by Representative Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield) and Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), adolescents aged 16 and 17 are required to obtain parental or guardian consent prior to using UV-emitting tanning equipment at commercial tanning facilities. Previous state law prohibited the use of tanning beds by those aged 16 and under, but no restrictions were placed on older teenagers.
“I would like to thank Gov. Evers for signing this important legislation, as well as Rep. Rozar and Sen. Cabral-Guevara for authoring the proposal,” said, Dr. Means, a licensed Dermatologist and President-Elect of the Wisconsin Dermatological Society. “There are long-term health risks associated with indoor tanning, including deadly skin cancers later in life. Senate Bill 261 will ensure that parents can discuss these risks with their children as well as monitor their use of tanning beds.”
From skin cancer to immune system impairment and premature aging of the skin, the health hazards from UV radiation overexposure are undisputed. It is a proven human carcinogen, and the risk of future skin cancer increases significantly when adolescents intentionally expose themselves to artificial sources of UV rays. Unfortunately, indoor tanning is common among teenagers and experts believe it is a key reason why skin cancer is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25 to 29 years old. While certain skin cancers can be deadly, it is also one of the most preventable types of cancer and is very treatable if detected early.
The Wisconsin Dermatological Society (WDS) is a professional medical society comprised of board-certified Dermatologists committed to furthering the advancement of Dermatology and promoting quality medical care for the citizens of Wisconsin. The WDS provides its physician members with numerous resources including professional education, legislative advocacy, and membership services to enhance dermatological care.
For information on how to prevent or identify skin cancer, please visit the Wisconsin Dermatological Society website.
