Do we own our bodies?

[Enoch the Red]

California bans use of tanning beds by minors
LOS ANGELES | Sun Oct 9, 2011 5:15pm EDT

(Reuters) - Minors in the state of California will no longer be allowed to use tanning beds after Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sunday prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using ultraviolet tanning devices.

California is the first state in the nation to ban minors from using tanning beds, legislators said.
Previously, California had banned minors under the age of 14 from using tanning beds, but allowed those between 14 and 18 years of age to use tanning beds with parental consent.

The bill was part of a cluster of legislation signed on Sunday designed to "improve the health and well-being of Calfornians," according to a statement from the Governor's office.

"I praise Gov. Brown for his courage in taking this much-needed step to protect some of California's most vulnerable residents -- our kids -- from what the 'House of Medicine' has conclusively shown is lethally dangerous: ultraviolet-emitting radiation from tanning beds," the bill's sponsor, state Senator Ted Lieu, said in a statement.

"If everyone knew the true dangers of tanning beds, they'd be shocked. Skin cancer is a rising epidemic and the leading cause of cancer death for women between 25 and 29."

The law will go into effect on January 1, 2012, according to Lieu's office.

I suppose this is primarily a question for GGT, as she has most recently been the most vocal when it comes to a woman's right to choose. Where is the outrage here? It would be fine for a minor to pursue a potentially deadly elective surgery, (an abortion) without the knowledge and consent of her parents or guardian, but a minor wouldn't be permitted to go tanning, even with the full knowledge and approval of their parents? It's her body, her choice, right? Does this really fall under a reasonable purview of government? What about excessive sunbathing? Is there any remaining doubt that the government's role as nanny-state?

I think what bothers me most is this quote: "I praise Gov. Brown for his courage in taking this much-needed step to protect some of California's most vulnerable residents -- our kids -- from what the 'House of Medicine' has conclusively shown is lethally dangerous: ultraviolet-emitting radiation from tanning beds." Where do the parents enter into this equation?

And before I get accused of only using unpasteurized, unregulated, raw tanning oil, were I parent I certainly wouldn't approve of, or encourage my minor to go tanning, and I certainly don't go tanning.