New York Bans Teen Tanning

NY bans tanning for teens?

Teen Tanning Banned in New York State

New York state officials have agreed to ban tanning for minors; Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to pass the new law soon.

Getting a year-round tan just got a lot harder for teens in New York.

Do we have tanorexic mom Patricia Krentcil to thank for all of this?

Well, clearly, she showed how one can go to the extreme with tanning, but overall, tanning has been found to be dangerous.

Read: Tan Mom Action Figure Available

Blair Horner, vice president for advocacy for the American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey, notes, "Indoor tanning causes cancer in too many people and children are at the greatest risk."

She added, "By banning indoor tanning for those 16 years old and younger, the legislation provides significant cancer protections for those teens. However, we believe that 17-year-olds deserve the same protections as other minors and we will continue to pursue legislation to protect all young people from the dangers of indoor tanning."

The New York Senate has approved a bill that will prohibit kids ages 16 and younger from using tanning booths.

New York already bans children under 14, but has allowed those ages 14-17 to get an indoor tan as long as they have a parent's permission.

Of course, tanning booth operators dispute the claims that indoor tanning is hazardous, with John Overstreet of the national Indoor Tanning Association noting that booths provide patrons with Vitamin D.

Seems a rather weak argument, doesn't it?

See: Epic Parenting Fails

Surprisingly, California is the only state that doesn't allow tanning beds for those under 18. Then again, they've got sunshine all year long -- not like the sun-deprived folks suffering a New York winter with their skin is as pasty as the snow.