(Image source: The Patriot News)

BY BRICE SANDER

Want to get that summer glow all year round? Live in California? Under 18? Well, that just got a little more difficult. CNN explains.

“California now has the toughest law in the land concerning teenagers and tanning. The new law makes tanning beds off limits to teens who are between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. Previously they were allowed to tan with a parent or legal guardian’s permission.”

The state claims the tan ban is aimed to protect teens against the risk of skin cancer deaths. But a blogger at USC-based NeonTommy suggests that doesn’t add up.

“Cancer statistics from 2007 indicated that roughly 20 Californians out of 100,000 were diagnosed with skin cancer… However, the state ranks near the bottom in terms of skin cancer related deaths at an average of 2 per 100,000 per year.”

A writer for the Seattle Times argues the state is doing its job to protect minors, but what about the businesses?

“The ban will hurt businesses, many of them owned by women, said the Indoor Tanning Association. About 5 to 10 percent of its members' customers are under 18 … [one senator] pointed out there are more tanning salons in Los Angeles County than Starbucks coffee shops or McDonald's restaurants.”

KNBC in Los Angeles spoke with one tanning salon manager who says the state’s taking away more than just business owners’ rights.

ANGIE CROUCH: “Here at the Body Bakery in Tarzana, the manager supports the current law, which allows minors to use tanning beds with parental permission.”
VIVIAN B: “If a parent is allowing their child- not child, but I mean their teenager to go tanning, then it’s up to the parents- not the government to, you know, allow them or not allow them.”

But the senator who wrote the law points out to CNN Health there’s still big business to be had with the G-T-L crowd.

“…he believes the message about the danger of tanning beds may be getting through. ‘I know that Snooki on the 'Jersey Shore' has changed to spray tanning… Spray tanning has no known harmful effects, and you can get tans from lotions or cream. There are safe ways to get that brown look.’”

The tan ban goes into effect January 1, 2012. California has no plans to outlaw tanning the natural way- you know, in the sun.