Alderman Debra Silverstein led the Chicago City Council to pass the first “city” ordinance to ban minors 18 and under from indoor tanning beds. This is a major victory in the fight against melanoma! Skin of Steel youth leaders were at City Hall and met with the Mayor prior to the vote. GBS teacher Kate Nicoletti and SOS Board members joined them.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said it was appropriate to give parents additional help in keeping their minor children out of tanning beds.

“We have restrictions as it relates to teenagers on smoking. This ordinance on tanning reflects a strategy as it relates to protecting our teenagers, as they have to make decisions,” Emanuel said after the meeting.

Skin of Steel worked carefully with AIM at Melanoma & capitalized on efforts that led to success in CA earlier in the year. Skin of Steel joined the American Cancer Society, the Illinois Dermatological Society, Chicago Department of Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair-MD, American Academy of Dermatology, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology in support of the ban. Chicago is the first major American city to pass such a ban to protect minors.

Thanks to each and every one of you who helped make a difference! Special thanks to Alderman Debra Silverstein and her staff, Chicago 50th Ward, for introducing the proposal and working tirelessly to ensure the ordinance was passed.