Rhode Island took a great step today to protect youth from the dangers of skin cancer by prohibiting the use of indoor tanning beds by minors under the age of 18 without parental consent. This important action is based on significant scientific evidence that indoor tanning is undeniably linked to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

“The American Academy of Dermatology Association applauds Rhode Island for joining in the fight against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers. A ban on indoor tanning for minors is critical to preventing skin cancer and reducing our country’s health care costs,” said Daniel M. Siegel, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the last 30 years, with the most rapid increases occurring among young, white women, the most common users of indoor tanning beds. In fact, in Rhode Island the incidence rate for melanoma in women 15 years and older increased by 24 percent between 2004 and 2008. Prohibiting minors’ access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues through adolescence into adulthood.”

More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their

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