California Gov. Jerry Brown officially approved legislation on Sunday that would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use tanning beds, making the Golden State the first in the country to ban artificial tanning for minors.
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While safer, non-UV methods of tanning (such as spray tanning) will remain legal; the impact will significantly affect California’s fake-baking industry. The state previously allowed teenagers as young as 14 to use tanning beds with parental consent.
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The law comes on the heels of the 10 percent “tanning tax” implemented as a part of President Obama’s health care overhaul plan in 2010.
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More research has proved that artificial tanning is even more potentially dangerous than once was believed, according to USA Today, with researchers finding that UVA1 rays can permeate deeper into the skin and into areas that are more prone to cancer.
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While California teens may be less than enthusiastic about the new law, they can still take comfort in the fact that they can utilize the natural abundance of sunshine they receive nearly year-round. Â
