>>>
the new jersey mom accused of taking her young daughter to a
tanning
salon has certainly attracted a lot of attention. now that case may lead to some changes in the
tanning
industry. nbc's
mara
schiavocampo is in nutly, new jersey, with more on that.
mara
, good morning to you.
>>
matt, good morning. new jersey is home to roughly 400 tanning salons, and many of their customers are teens. now, some state lawmakers say that soaking up artificial rays is downright dangerous for
young people
, and they want them kept out of
tanning beds
altogether. so-called tan mom patricia krentcil, continues to get lots of attention. following allegations the 44-year-old new jersey mother took her then-5-year-old daughter
tanning
with her. krentcil says she's innocent, but her daughter came with her to the salon, but never was exposed to any
tanning
. krentcil's overly tanned appearance has made her a national celebrity. even getting her roasted on "saturday night live."
>>
piece of bread. put it between my thighs.
>>
oh, my gosh.
>> reporter:
while krentcil may be trying to laugh it off.
>>
that was hysterical.
>> reporter:
others say it's no laughing matter. some new jersey lawmakers are hoping all the attention on krentcil's case will revive efforts to pass anti-
tanning
legislation for minors. an old bill reintroduced this year would prohibit a person under 18 years of age from using a
tanning bed
in a
tanning
facility.
>>
if you start
tanning
as a teenager, you're 74 times more likely to get a
malignant melanoma
as a younger adult than you would otherwise.
>> reporter:
27-year-old allison doherty knows that all too well. at 21 she was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma after years of
tanning
as a teen.
>>
something like a melanoma diagnosis doesn't just affect you. it also affects everyone else around you. this is where i might get emotional. because, you know, i remember, you know, my parents feeling like -- like it was their fault. and it wasn't their fault.
>> reporter:
in a statement to nbc news, the indoor
tanning
association says the risks of artificial
tanning
are exaggerated. writing, quote, it is a fact that ultraviolet light from a sunbed is the same as that from the sun, and regular, moderate non-burning exposure is essential for good health. as for patricia krentcil, it seems her
15 minutes of fame
didn't end with that "snl" sketch. she is the inspiration behind this action figure. krentcil is due back in court on
june 4th
. now as for the salon, they say that krentcil's daughter was never allowed in the room with her mother while she was
tanning
. meanwhile, here in new jersey, currently 14 to 17-year-olds are required to have
parental consent
for indoor
tanning
. that would change if this bill passes. the bill is currently in committee. officials say it will be voted on very soon.
>>
mara
, thank you very much.
“ ”