The Howard County, Maryland board of health unanimously approved regulations that will ban youth under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning devices making it the first jurisdiction to pass this type of measure in the United States. The vote took place after hearing from those for and against the regulations. Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson introduced the regulations in September. Tuesday, he defended the measure. “Teenagers are much more likely to burn with indoor tanning,” he said. “Fifty-eight percent report burning in indoor tanning. And burns, particularly at a young age, are clearly correlated with developing melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.”

We applaud Howard County for taking the steps to protect their youth. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma is especially dangerous among young people. About 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV light.

For more information about skin cancer and skin cancer prevention please visit the National Cancer Institute’s website.