COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--A bill which is in hearings at the Ohio Statehouse would raise the minimum age to use a tanning bed in the Buckeye State to 18.
The Ohio House Health Committee is hearing testimony on House Bill 329, which would change the state statute. Currently, minors aged 16 and 17 can use a tanning bed with their parent's permission.
Shannon Trotter, with the Ohio State Medical Association, says the use of tanning beds at an early age greatly increases the risk of developing melanoma, or skin cancer.
Joseph Levy, the Director of Scientific Affairs for the American Suntanning Association disagrees. He said the threat of developing skin cancer comes with sunburn, which is not the purpose of a commercial tanning bed.
If House Bill 329 becomes law, it would allow the state to charge tanning salons that violate the rule a $500 fine.