Emma Von Der Lieth
Staff Writer

Snooki’s “radiant glow” will be even harder to achieve for teens with the passage of a new law that makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use tanning beds in the state of California.

Currently, California law states that minors who are 14 or under are prohibited from using tanning beds, and those under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

But the new law, Senate Bill 746, will change that on Jan. 1, 2012, making it illegal for everyone younger than 18 to use a tanning bed, regardless of parental permission.

California’s new regulation, grounded in science, is meant to protect a generation of tanning addicts from health issues that have been linked to tanning.

“Exposure to light rays will increase the risk of skin cancer,” said school nurse Kay Smith. “The bottom line is: do you want dark skin now, or do you want to increase your risk of skin cancer?”

State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), who sponsored the bill, is fervent about preventing skin cancer and attempted to ban teens 15-17 from using tanning beds in 2007.

Though his initial attempt failed, his latest sponsored bill makes California the state with the harshest regulations on tanning facilities. Lieu’s bill was sponsored by organizations such as the California Society of Dermatology & Dermatological Surgery (CalDerm) and the Aim at Melanoma Foundation.

More than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone, according to CalDerm.

Lieu hopes to decrease the amount of skin cancer diagnosis with this new law.

“I support this new law because it will protect (people) and prevent skin cancer,” said history teacher Kathleen Seabury, who used tanning beds in high school. “It’s shocking that tanning beds can cause such a huge increase in skin cancer.”

People who use indoor tanning facilities have a 75 percent increase in developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Many students support the new law.

“I think it is a good thing,” said senior Kayla Sullivan, a frequent tanner. “I’m actually glad that they are passing the law because it will keep me from (tanning).”

The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently reported that tanning beds are now considered to be in the highest cancer risk category.

In 2009, the organization recommended that indoor tanning facilities be banned for those younger than 18 because skin cancer takes many years to develop.

“The new law is definitely appropriate because tanning beds are really dangerous,” said junior Jared Sawdey. “Anyways, no one should use tanning beds. That’s not attractive.”

Unfortunately, the new law will most likely cause a loss of jobs and revenue for tanning salons in California.

“Twenty to 30 percent of our customers are teens,” said senior Julie Leibreich, who works at Utopia, a popular tanning salon in San Ramon. “During prom and in the springtime, (business) increases to 40 percent.”

Despite the obvious dangers of tanning, many teens oppose the new law because they feel it is infringing on their rights.

“If you’re under 18, and your parents say yes, you should be able to (use tanning beds),” said junior Amanda Emery. “It’s your own body.”

Explaining the risks of tanning to teens is a hard sell because the negative effects of sun exposure, such as premature aging, melanoma, and other skin cancers, don’t become apparent until decades later.

“Young people may think they are getting privileges taken away,” said Smith, “but it’s for their own safety.”

But some think that the law is just delaying the inevitable.

“Whether they can tan now or when they’re 18, they will do it,” said Leibreich. “It’s a personal choice. I work at a tanning salon and spray tan because it’s safer.”

Many students like Leibreich turn to spray tans or lotions to get healthy, sun-kissed skin. Spray tans and lotions, unlike tanning beds, will continue to be legal for all ages.

“I use tanning lotions before homecoming because they are way safer and look more natural,” said junior Danielle Rector.

Although this law may seem drastic to some, the intent is clear: prevent skin cancers before it’s too late.