Should teen-agers be allowed to use tanning beds? It's an issue that's been cropping up around the state and the country over the past several months.
Monday night the Baltimore County Council was set to vote on a bill that would have made tanning salons 'off limits' to kids under 18.
The councilman who proposed the bill said it's a safety issue -- pointing to research showing tanning can cause skin cancer.
‘I think as elected officials we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to ensure these children, ensure the public that we represent, are protected,’ said Councilman Vincent Gardina. ‘It's been medically proven that exposure to UV radiation causes melanoma.’
The bill did have the support of the Baltimore County health officer, along with the American Cancer Society and other prominent health organizations. But in the end the council voted five to two, to reject the ban.
‘I know the problems that it causes, but I just can't usurp a parent's right to make a decision on this,’ said Councilman Samuel Moxley.
‘To pass this bill makes us nothing more than a symbol. We do not have the man-power or the means to enforce it,’ added Councilman T. Bryan McIntire.
The Board of Health in Howard County passed a similar ban last week, and it's already in effect. Representatives from the tanning industry say they're looking into the possibility of legal action in response to that ban.
The Baltimore County proposal mirrors one that went into effect in Howard County last week
Teens under the age of 18 would be banned from using commercial tanning beds....with salon owners facing stiff fines.
The recent rise in legislation stems from a recent World Health Organization study that shows that teens under 18 suffer higher rates of skin cancer as they get older.
'Anything in moderation is good for you its when you abuse it that's when you're going to have problems.' Salon Owner Robin Eason says.
Eason and her husband Marty have owned tanning salons for more the 25 years.
They say the Baltimore County proposal would take away parental choice.
Eason says teens have been tanning safely for years, but that's only happened because their salon and others have always included the parents.
She says they did this even before the state laws required it.
'A parent has to come in sign under state regulation the parent must come in and sign that gives them an opportunity to walk through the facility and check it out.' She says.
The Eason's are afraid that eventually that there will be so many restrictions placed on tanning that it would force even adults to stop coming because it would be too much of a hassle.
"In the Howard County law they did go a step further and are basically telling us how to run our business.' Marty Eason says.
'Even an adult now has to they're the since they're the only ones allowed to tan in Howard County they have to sign a form every time they come in to tan and I think that's onerous.'
The Eason’s say that teens tanning is only about five percent or so of their business so money isn't the big issue here....it's about a parents right to choose what is best for their children.
But supporters of the law say the skin cancer risk to teens health is just too great and parents are making a bad choice by allowing this.
Other counties in the state are considering similar bans.
