COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus lawmaker wants to make it illegal for anyone under 18 to use a tanning bad without a prescription.
The bill, introduced yesterday by Reps. Mike Stinziano (D-Columbus) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) “persons under 18 would be refused access to tanning facilities in the state of Ohio unless prescribed by a doctor,” according to a release from Stinziano’s office.
The bill would also require tanning facilities to “make reasonable efforts” to ensure that customers meet the age requirements.
The measure has the support of the Ohio State Medical Association which claims indoor tanning causes melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, Stinziano said..
Among those who had ever used a tanning device, 76 percent of melanomas were attributable to tanning bed use, Stinziano said, citing the association’s data.
The bill was assigned to the House Health and Aging Committee Wednesday.