As of the New Year, it’s a law that tanners under the age of 18 must have written consent from a parent to use an indoor tanning facility in Texas. Tanning is prohibited for those beneath the age of 16.5.
When pushing for the new law, Burt Soloman, the State Representative responsible for the bill, argued that the legal age to tan should be the same as that to smoke. His original vision for the legislation also included a requirement of written consent from a physician for tanners less than 18 years old.
Many opponents of the law, including Congressman Ralph Hall, cite that parental rights are at stake. Although the state already has laws to help enforce tanning in moderation, now the government has gone a step further by requiring written consent and imposing the ban for certain age groups.
"I don't think you need any legislation either in the state or in the federal government telling mothers and dads how to treat their sixteen year old,” says Hall.
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