RALEIGH (AP) A bill that would bar North Carolina children under age 18 from visiting tanning salons is moving closer to becoming law.
The Youth Skin Cancer Prevention Act was approved Tuesday by the state House Health and Human Services committee. The bill is backed by the American Cancer Society, as well as state associations representing pediatricians, dermatologists and oncologists.
The measure is criticized by the tanning industry as an attack on small businesses rooted in flawed science. American Suntanning Association scientific adviser Joseph Levy told lawmakers there was no conclusive medical evidence linking moderate tanning bed use to increased risk of skin cancer. He likened the proposed ban to outlawing water because some youths drown.
Levy later conceded he had no formal training or academic degrees in either medicine or science.