Miss Ohio opposes tanning beds for teens

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — Miss Ohio is lending her support to a bill that would ban most juveniles from patronizing tanning salons.

Backers say artificial tanning can lead to skin cancer. Karissa Martin says she is committed to educating teens about the dangers of skin cancer because she was diagnosed with abnormal skin cells resulting from a sunburn at age 14. She is now a junior at West Liberty University in West Virginia.

Republican state Rep. Courtney Combs of Hamilton wrote the bill that would ban the use of tanning beds without a prescription for anyone under 18.

Several medical groups support the proposed ban, which was set for discussion today before the Ohio House Consumer Affairs and Economic Protection Committee.