New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.
Current law allows 14 to 17 year olds to use a tanning bed if they get parental consent.

Jennifer Neumayer owns three Beach Bum Tanning stores in New Jersey. She says tanning facilities are already subject to federal regulations and banning teens would hurt her business.

“Small business owners who are already struggling through a tough economy will find it even more difficult to make ends meet.”

But, Dr. Robert Paull with the Dermatological Association of New Jersey says the use of tanning beds has been linked to skin cancer.

“There are tough times for everybody out there, but you can’t sacrifice the health of young individuals for the economic gain of people in this industry.”

Opponents of the ban say it could have unintended consequences by causing teens to spend more time outside trying to get a tan the old fashioned way, and that could lead to more harmful effects.