FOX 29 Investigates: Laws For Underage Tanner Not Being Followed - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

FOX 29 Investigates: Underage Tanning Laws

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Last year, skin cancer claimed nearly 9,000 people in the US. Doctors  warn indoor tanning increases the risk, especially for young people.

There are laws designed to protect underage tanners. But are they being followed? We went undercover to find out for a lot of teens and young adults.

Twenty seven year-old Alyson Dougherty of Dover, NJ says tanning almost killed her. Dougherty believes she developed melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, by spending too much time as a teen at the beach and in a tanning booth.

Now, she's speaking out about underage tanning and is supporting a bill in the New Jersey general assembly that would ban kids under 18 from using ultraviolet light beds at tanning salons.

Right now, under New Jersey law, kids 14 through 17 needs their parents written permission to use tanning beds. Dougherty says a tougher law could save lives.

New Jersey isn't the only state cracking down on underage tanning. Most states, including Delaware and Pennsylvania, either already have laws on the books or are proposing new laws to regulate tanning by minors. But are those laws being followed? We went undercover to find out.

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