Texas lawmakers begin tanning bill fight

[Chris_]

Texas lawmakers begin tanning bill fight

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A proposal that would make it harder for Texas teenagers to enter the tanning bed was compared to legislation against Big Tobacco as lawmakers took up the issue.

"In the United states and Texas, we don't allow our teens to purchase cigarettes until after they are 18 because it is a carcinogen," said Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton. "Yet we don't do that for tanning beds, which can expose teens to the same risk for cancer."

The bill would require anyone under 18 years old to get a doctor's note before using a tanning bed and would require a parent be with them in the salon. Supporters and detractors said this would be the strictest legislation any state has passed on teen tanning.

Current Texas law requires parent permission slips for children up to 18 and that adults go with their children if they are under 16. Children under 13 can also tan if they get permission from a doctor.

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Do teenagers not go outside anymore?

[thundley4]

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Do teenagers not go outside anymore?

No, except at night to go party and have sex.    Seriously, though, I think their current law seems more than sufficient.   Recently there was a bar that had accidentally replaced their blue lightbulbs with the tanning bed bulbs. One bartender suffered sunstroke, and several patrons were sunburned.