Bradford Woman Testifies
During House Hearing on Tanning Beds
State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) was among the testifiers at Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee public hearing in support of House Bill 369, her legislation preventing anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning bed.
“We have a generation that has found a way to exacerbate the already-harmful practice of sunbathing by bringing it indoors in the form of tanning beds,” Swanger said. “It is imperative that we educate our youth as to the damage done by ultraviolet (UV) rays, both indoors and out of doors, which is why I proposed this legislation.”
Swanger served as lead testifier at the hearing and was followed by individuals dealing personally with effects of melanoma -- including Amy Silvis of Bradford -- as well as doctors who have seen first-hand the effects of tanning bed use.
“The World Health Organization has declared UV tanning beds ‘carcinogenic to humans,’ ” testified Gavin Robertson, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery, and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center. “We estimate 80 percent of our lifetime exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (which are replicated in tanning beds) is experienced by the age of 18, and we need to do all we can to reduce the damage done to our skin during this time period.”
Swanger’s legislation would prosecute anyone who permits an individual less than 18 years of age to use an indoor tanning device. She does plan one amendment to the bill should it be considered by the committee.
“The legislation as it was written created a criminal penalty,” added Swanger. “While I consider this a serious offense, violators should be fined and at some point lose their license, but I don’t see the need for anyone to go to jail for a violation.”
“We have a generation that has found a way to exacerbate the already-harmful practice of sunbathing by bringing it indoors in the form of tanning beds,” Swanger said. “It is imperative that we educate our youth as to the damage done by ultraviolet (UV) rays, both indoors and out of doors, which is why I proposed this legislation.”
Swanger served as lead testifier at the hearing and was followed by individuals dealing personally with effects of melanoma -- including Amy Silvis of Bradford -- as well as doctors who have seen first-hand the effects of tanning bed use.
“The World Health Organization has declared UV tanning beds ‘carcinogenic to humans,’ ” testified Gavin Robertson, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery, and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center. “We estimate 80 percent of our lifetime exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (which are replicated in tanning beds) is experienced by the age of 18, and we need to do all we can to reduce the damage done to our skin during this time period.”
Swanger’s legislation would prosecute anyone who permits an individual less than 18 years of age to use an indoor tanning device. She does plan one amendment to the bill should it be considered by the committee.
“The legislation as it was written created a criminal penalty,” added Swanger. “While I consider this a serious offense, violators should be fined and at some point lose their license, but I don’t see the need for anyone to go to jail for a violation.”
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