Feb 14, 2014 01:30 PM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Laws regulating tanning beds are effective in limiting use by teenage girls, according to a new study from the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Bustle reported.

Artificial, indoor tanning poses a bevy of healthy risks, including premature wrinkling, eye damage, severe burns, and, of most concern, an increased risk of skin cancer. Though most cancers have declined since the 1990's, skin cancer has only increased. Three and a half million cases of non-melanoma cancer and 60,000 cases of the melanoma version are treated and diagnosed annually, according to the study's press release. Part of their continued rise could be attributed to tanning beds.

Of high school aged users, indoor tanning is more prevalent among girls (23.4 percent) than boys (6.5 percent).

Analyzing system access laws and youth access laws regarding tanning (defined below), researchers found that states with any sort of restrictions reduced tanning use among teenage girls by 30 percent. States with heavier restrictions (i.e. both system access laws and youth access laws) reduced the behavior by 42 percent.

"System access laws included warning statements and signs, limited advertising about the benefits of tanning, mandatory protective eyewear, operator-required incident reports, and penalties for violations," according to the study. "Youth access laws included parental permission for minors and age restrictions."

As this study is the first to document a relationship between tanning bed restrictions and their impacts on the nation's youth, it shows that the nation understands the risks of tanning, but, like most vices, needs reminding.

"State indoor tanning laws, especially age restrictions, may be effective in reducing indoor tanning among our nation's youth," said Gery Guy, PhD, health economist and the study's lead author. "We need to address the harms of indoor tanning, especially among children. Indoor tanning laws can be part of a comprehensive effort to prevent skin cancers and change social norms around tanned skin."

Six states (California, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont ) require indoor tanners to be at least 18 years of age and others are considering buffering their tanning laws, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization advises those under the 18 to avoid indoor tanning.

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