Hawaii 10th state to ban minors from indoor tanning

Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii has passed legislation that prohibits minors under the age of 18 from indoor tanning, according to a news release.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the bill that becomes effective immediately. The bill is supported by the American Academy of Dermatology, whose president, Brett M. Coldiron, M.D., F.A.A.D., commended the state for joining the fight against skin cancer.

“The science is clear. The risk for developing melanoma increases by 59 percent in individuals who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices, and the risks increase with each subsequent use. Since 2.3 million teens tan indoors in the United States annually, restricting teens’ access to indoor tanning is critical to preventing skin cancer," Dr. Coldiron said in a news release

In addition to the AADA, the ban was supported by AIM at Melanoma, American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, Hawaii Department of Health, and the Hawaii Skin Cancer Coalition.

Hawaii follows 

Vermont

, 

California

, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, 

New Jersey

, 

Nevada

, Texas and Washington by passing legislation that prohibits minors under the age of 18 from indoor tanning. The law is effective immediately.

Read more on indoor tanning dangers and bans

California first to ban all teen tanning bed use

Nevada bans minors from tanning beds

New Jersey bans minors from tanning beds

Vermont outlaws indoor tanning for minors

FDA to require black-box warnings on tanning beds

Idaho mulls bill barring teen tanning