New indoor tanning law in N.Y.

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Businesses providing indoor tanning services in New York state are subject to new requirements in 2011, meant to reduce potential hazards. officials said.

Richard F. Daines, state health commissioner, says the health risks associated with tanning are well documented and include skin cancer, burns, injury to the skin and eyes, premature aging of the skin and allergic reactions.

Under state law, New York businesses with indoor tanning facilities are now subject to the following requirements:

-- Operators must take steps to ensure that children under age 14 cannot use indoor tanning facilities.

-- Operators must ensure that children ages 14-18 have signed, in person, parental consent prior to the children using the facilities.

-- People 18 and older must be provided information on the dangers of indoor tanning, must sign statements indicating they are aware of the hazards and receive adequate instruction in the operation and use of tanning devices.

-- Operators must ensure that every patron has adequate protective eyewear for use with ultraviolet tanning devices at no additional charge.

"UV radiation produced by indoor tanning devices can cause the same damage to the skin as natural sunlight," Daines says in a statement. "Because the harmful effects of UV exposure are cumulative over time, indoor tanning devices pose the highest risk to children and young adults by increasing their overall lifetime exposure."