CA Teen Tan Ban's Last Hope

By Rebecca Pray

The indoor tanning community – particularly in The Golden State – has been eyeing the political arena with piqued interest as we await the final outcome of SB 746, Sen. Ted Lieu’s attempt to ban teenagers younger than 18 years old from using UV tanning services.

As reported earlier this month, the bill has passed the state Assembly and Senate, and now simply awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature to become law. However, The Sacramento Bee reports that Gov. Brown has plans to veto many of the 600 bills the legislature has forwarded him for review.

Stating, “Not every human problem needs a law," the governor intends to veto legislation he believes to be unnecessary in terms of governmental involvement. Indoor tanning enthusiasts have long tried to counter anti-tanning measures – particularly in the field of restrictions for teenagers – in the interests of consumer and parental rights.

It remains to be seen whether Gov. Brown believes parents – and their kids – should have the right to tan without government interference. He must act on SB 746 and the other hundreds of pending measures by Monday, Oct. 10, 2011.

Sen. Lieu has been staging meetings with the governor, as well as public press conferences, to try to drum up support to pass the anti-tanning bill.