[UPDATE] ‘Tan Ban’ for Maine Kids Under 18 Using Tanning Beds

Update from April 9

A vote in the Maine Senate today (April 9) fell five votes short in an effort to override the veto from Governor Paul LePage of a bill that would ban children under 18 from using tanning beds.

According to the Bangor Daily News: LePage said the legislation "tells Maine parents that Augusta knows better than they do when it comes to their children."

Update from March 26

The Maine House voted today (Tuesday, March 26) in favor of a bill that would bar anyone younger than 18 from using commercial tanning beds.

The measure passed the House 82-63. It still faces additional House and Senate votes.

Original story: February 6, 2013

Do you think kids should be banned from using tanning beds? Well, Maine could become the third state in the nation to prohibit such practices under the soon to be drafted legislation.

The proposal is called 'An Act to Reduce Youth Cancer Risk.' If passed, it would be illegal for indoor tanning facilities to allow minors to use tanning beds and booths. Currently, minors are allowed to tan indoors if they have parental consent.

Maine would join California and Vermont as the only states to have a ban of minors for indoor tanning.

The legislation has some powerful support from the Maine Medical Association and the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is backed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.