CBS Backs Nanny State Ban on Teen Tanning
CBS Evening News tried to shine
some light on the tanning industry last night, but ended up simply
showing their anti-business bias.
Reporter Mika Brezinksis Eye On America segment
focused on what anchor Dan Rather called a potentially-dangerous
fad: Teenagers, hooked on tanning. But the segment wasnt about
that at all. What Brezinksi addressed was adults hooked on
controlling the lifestyle choices of other people.
The story began with an interview with a 15-year-old
tanning enthusiast named Caroline who, despite the winter months,
was born to bronze, according to Brezinski.
Then the story turned to the medical rants of Dr.
Darrell Rigel who makes it clear he isnt just against teens
tanning. The bottom line is there is no such thing as a safe tan,
he explained.
Brezinski said that Rigel and the American Academy of
Dermatology support banning the use of tanning salons by teens and
added that 22 states already have bans or limits in place and at
least three more are considering similar rules.
That all sounded like a solution to a major health
problem until Dr. Rigel admitted that there is no evidence to
support his claim. Brezinski asked him: The new legislation is
prompted by the growing rate of deadly skin cancer, which Dr. Rigel
says, is greatest in young women, ages 25 to 29. Do you connect that
increased rate with the use of tanning salons? His response: Skin
cancer rates are rising dramatically in young people. It could be
one of the factors.
Could be. A story more than two-and-a-half minutes
long based on what could be? At least the story included a comment
from tanning company spokesman Dan Humiston who responded: There is
no data to support that.
Despite the protestations of Dr. Rigel, even Carolines
own parents were OK with her tanning habit. In response to that, Dr.
Rigel contradicted himself: It's hard being a parent. When you're a
teenager, you're bulletproof. Later in life you're going to find out
you look older faster and, in fact, your risk for skin cancer goes
up. Either it could be a factor or it is. Apparently, Dr. Rigel
wasnt sure and CBS wasnt willing to raise the issue.
What Brezinski didnt mention is that Dr. Rigel
commented on this issue in 2003 after the Academy had done a study
that showed people ignore countless health messages about the
dangers of the sun and the alarmingly high rates of skin cancer and
Americans, particularly young individuals, recognize that
overexposure to the sun is unhealthy but are still not protecting
themselves when outdoors.
In that press release, Dr. Rigel said: People should
still enjoy their time outdoors, but should change their behavior to
incorporate sun safety precautions into their routine. Of course,
those precautions recommended by the Academy included the
following enjoyable lifestyle choices: People should also
avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the
strongest, wear sun-protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats,
long sleeved shirts and sunglasses, and seek shade whenever
possible.
Apparently Dr. Rigel has given up asking and now
advocates government mandating such behavior. CBS News didnt shed
light on teen tanning, it just showed its true colors as supporters
of a Nanny state that overrules personal or even parental choice.