Florida May Ban Minors from Tanning Beds

FORT MYERS, FL -- State lawmakers are stepping in to keep people under 16 out of tanning booths because they believe it is a health hazard. But shop owners believe it will just hurt business.

In the Sunshine State, sunshine is the norm. But for those who can't get enough of it, the tanning beds can be helpful.

But lawmakers recently filed anti-tanning legislation and if passed, it would ban people 16 or under from tanning and it would go into affect July 1.

Brandi Botts, of Tan Lines Studio in Cape Coral, fears it would really impact her business.

"Any tanner we lose of course affects our bottom line," she said.

"I'm more opposed to it because where does regulation stop?" asked Matt Dokas of 20 Minute Tan.

The law is meant to prevent harm to the body at a young age.

Too much tanning can be detrimental to the skin, according to health experts. They say ultra violet light is bad for people under 18. But it can be even worse for children.

"Before you're five-years-old, it's more prone to a burn than as you age," Botts said.

Salon owners just want legislators to mind their business.

"God made us to naturally tan. If you were on an island, you would tan to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays," said Botts.