State considers tanning ban for teenagers

Washington state might pull the plug on tanning beds used by teenagers.

Both the state House and Senate are considering a ban on tanning for anyone under the age of 18, due to concerns about over-exposure to ultraviolet rays which could led to melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer.

Scott Swerland, owner of Seattle-based Seattle Suntan, says teenagers only make up two percent of his business. But he still doesn’t like the idea of losing a valuable consumer base.

“[It] will make it more difficult for the stores where there’s maybe one or two ‘mom and pop’ operators,” Swerland told King-TV over the weekend.

Washington state currently has no age restrictions on indoor tanning beds, although some salons require parental consent.