(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has voted to make indoor tanning bed businesses off limits for minors — unless the teenager’s parent provides written permission in person. Representative Hans Wilz of Ottumwa says tanning beds emit far more ultraviolet radiation than the sun. “Tanning devices increase the risk of melanoma, a particular deadly type of cancer,” Wilz said. “UV radiation is the most dangerous when exposed at a young age.”

Representative Josh Turek of Council Bluffs says Iowa is one of only six states that does not ban or regulate the use of tanning beds by minors. “This is an excellent bill,” Turek said. “…As you’ve heard many times, Iowa (is) the only state with a growing cancer rate, fifth highest rates of melanoma, 1600 new melanomas per year.” Wilz says the bill is one piece of the puzzle to address Iowa’s concerning cancer rate.  “Cancer prevention is just as important as cancer research, medical treatment,” Wilz said. “We need to attack cancer in every way to ensure cancer rates do go down.”

The bill passed on an 83-to-13 vote and goes to the Senate for consideration. According to the National Institutes of Health, using a tanning bed even one time before age 35 raises your risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75 percent.