Posters warning patrons about the risks of indoor tanning line the walls of Celsius Tannery as sophomore Katlyn Seyb prepares to tan for an upcoming cheer competition. If a proposed state bill banning the use of tanning beds for those under 18 were to be passed, indoor tanning would no longer be possible for Seyb or many other students.

“A lot of people think [tanning] is going to give you skin cancer, but it’s just like going outside,” Seyb said. “I think it’s a personal choice, and you should be able to do it.”

Not everyone shares this view. State Rep. Dave Crum, the chair of the House Committee of Health and Human Services (the bill’s sponsoring committee), cites the increased risk for skin cancer as a main reason for the bill’s creation.

“As chairman of the Committee of Health and Human Services, I thought it would be something to look at,” Crum said. “Testimony pointed out that tanning under age 24 puts you at a 75 percent greater risk for malignant melanoma … When you’re young, your skin is more vulnerable.”

Seeing the effects of this risk firsthand was what initially prompted surgical oncologist Dr. Joshua Mammen, the state chair for the Commission on Cancer, to suggest banning indoor tanning for minors. Mammen brought the idea to state Rep. Amanda Grosserode, a Lenexa Republican, who then took it  to Crum, an Augusta Republican.

“[I came to state Rep. Amanda Grosserode with the idea] after seeing a patient suffer from melanoma,” Mammen said via phone. “Hundreds of studies show an increased risk for malignant melanoma [from indoor tanning].”

Sophomore Abbie Hughes supports the proposed bill and believes long-term benefits will come from it.

“I think the law will make a positive impact,” Hughes said. “If teenagers can’t go tanning in tanning beds anymore, I think there could [potentially] be a lot less skin problems in teens.”

One particular concern over the bill is how it will affect businesses. If the bill were to go into effect, Bask Tanning owner Lori Chapman said her business would change considerably.

“[The law] will probably have a significant effect on my business, but it won’t shut it down,” Chapman said via phone. “It all depends on the demographic of the salon … The number one thing this law would affect is the number of employees we could have.”

Despite this, Mammen said the bill is not intended to hurt tanning salons.

“I’m not trying to put indoor tanning facilities out of business,” Mammen said.  “I’m trying to put myself out of business [in terms of melanoma patients].”

Chapman has followed the lead of other tanning salons that already take measures against the risks of tanning beds.

“I make all customers fill out a skin type questionnaire to kind of get a basis of how they’re going to tan,” Chapman said. “I explain to them that tanning in a salon isn’t like tanning outside. We don’t want anyone turning pink.”

According to Mammen, these precautions are not enough to prevent the risks of indoor tanning. When he testified in support of the bill to the House Health and Human Services Committee, Mammen said indoor tanning is a Class I carcinogen, like tobacco, asbestos and benzene.

“There’s no such thing as a safe tan, and no medical society will say [there is],” Mammen said. “Indoor tanning lobby tries to create doubt. There’s no doubt in scientific literature; it’s very clear the UV rays are associated with skin cancer.”

While this risk may exist, Seyb thinks a ban takes this issue too far.

“There’s always going to be risk with anything you do,” Seyb said. “I feel like they shouldn’t ban it.”

Chapman agrees, and sees an alternative step that can be taken to protect against the risk of skin cancer.

“I don’t [think] it should be a law,” Chapman said.  “I think parental consent for tanning under 18 should be a law … I require parental consent for customers who are under 18.”

Senior Holly Peterman also does not support the potential ban, citing that some know how to tan responsibly.

“I think some people take it to an extreme and are hurting themselves,” Peterman said. “Just because some people abuse [tanning] doesn’t mean it should be taken from everyone.”

Hughes believes the ban will benefit teens in the long run.

“Overall, I think it’s really bad for you. If you tan a lot when you’re a teenager [it will affect you later],” Hughes said. “You’re only going to be a teenager for so much of your life. Why would you want to keep making your skin tan for a short time when it’s going to make it wrinkly for a much longer time and cause health problems that can last a lifetime?”