Minors in Tanning Beds
Posted by on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011In California, they have now banned the use of tanning beds by minors. Until Sunday, they were allowed to use them, but only with parental consent.
A quote from the article:
The bill was part of a cluster of legislation signed on Sunday designed to “improve the health and well-being of Calfornians,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office.
Translation: Since the general public can’t be trusted to make good choices on their own, we are going to do it for them.
Another quote from the article:
“I praise Gov. Brown for his courage in taking this much-needed step to protect some of California’s most vulnerable residents — our kids — from what the ‘House of Medicine’ has conclusively shown is lethally dangerous: ultraviolet-emitting radiation from tanning beds,” the bill’s sponsor, state Senator Ted Lieu, said in a statement.
Translation: If I talk about the safety of children, I will surely seem compassionate and you will re-elect me.
I disagree with this law for several reasons. First of all, it’s hypocritical. If dangerous UV light is the reason given for banning tanning beds, why is the same government pushing the use of CFL bulbs, which also emit ultraviolet light? This article in the Wall Street Journal indicates that California has done more than any other state to promote CFL use.
Secondly, this entire issue of UV light may not be settled science. Even the World Health Organization (quoted from the FDA website) acknowledges that brief exposure can help with vitamin D production.
According to the World Health Organization, brief exposure to UV radiation, about 5-15 minutes twice a week, is beneficial in helping the body produce vitamin D. However, the amount of exposure needed depends on several factors, including where you live, the time of day, and the time of year.
It’s interesting to me that they said 5-15 minutes twice per week. That sounds like a pretty typical tanning bed session. So, this actually might be beneficial for people who don’t get outside much? Sounds like the type of people who might go tanning to me. What’s next? Are they going to try to limit the amount of time people can stay outside and be exposed to the sun’s UV rays? If so, they better re-institute the use of tanning beds or all of the kids will have a vitamin D deficiency.
All of this talk about protecting the children is sickens me. Even with parental consent, kids can’t use tanning beds in California. But, they can get abortions. Yes, they have to have parental consent in California. But, that same parental consent can’t get them access to a tanning bed? I just have a hard time with that kind of inconsistency.
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