Oregon Public Broadcasting

Indoor tanning could soon be off limits for Washington teenagers. The only exemption would be teens that get a prescription from a doctor.

This year, a group of Democratic lawmakers want to regulate the tanning industry.  Chantal Anderson reports.

Currently, Washington tanning salons face no regulations from the state.

Many salons require minors to have a parent signature to tan. But dermatologist Marc Antezana told state lawmakers it's not enough.

Marc Antezana: "The population our bill would impact most is the least likely to be Vitamin D deficient, the most likely to burn, and the most likely to suffer long term damage from exposure to UV radiation."

Namely, he says, fair-skinned teenage girls who regularly tan. Dan Mann is president of Tropical Tan salons. He says these regulations are unfair.

Dan Mann: "We would like to come work with you to develop a plan where we're not banned from treating 10 to 15 percent, or 20 percent of our customers, we would rather you not usurp that parent right."

Representative Eileen Cody, who chairs the Health and Wellness Committee didn't comment on the bill's prospects. She did note that her mother died of skin cancer.