A new Minnesota law has the community thinking about ink. As of July 1, tattoo artists in the state can no longer provide services to minors, even with parental consent.
Cliff Gustafson, tattoo artist at The Body Shop in Wahpeton, said that while the law may push some business toward North Dakota, he has mixed feelings about the law itself.
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"People don't always know what they want when they're young.... they just think it looks cool," he said.
Many teenagers from the area, including Wahpeton resident Sammi Olson, say the law is out of line.
"They should get parental consent, but they shouldn't ban it for everyone (under 18)," she said.
Olson said she got a tattoo when she was 18 as a symbol of her family.
"My dad was skeptical at first, but after he saw it, he was OK with it because it meant something," she added.
Sarah O'Neal, Breckenridge, got a tattoo of a pink and purple ribbon in honor of her mother who has cancer.
"I wanted to get this for my mom to support her battle," said O'Neal, who got the tattoo just shy of her 18th birthday.
Amber Running Bear, Breckenridge, said she waited until she was 18 to get her tattoo, and hasn't regretted it. The now 19-year-old personally designed her tattoo that displays two swallows holding a padlock and a key, and said she is very happy with the body art.
"(My parents) didn't want me to get one, period," she said, adding that she hopes her 1-year-old daughter waits until she is 18 as well. "I think it's a good idea."
Others in the community say that children under 18 are too young to go under the needle.
"The law is a really good idea," said Joan Zettle, Breckenridge. "Kids make hasty decisions and they don't realize what that tattoo will look like on grandma, and how stretched out and funny they get."
Monty Madche, Breckenridge, agreed, saying,"I don't think parents should consent to letting their child get a tattoo... later on (the child) may resent their parents for letting them."
Colleen Bruns, Breckenridge, said her two sons both got tattoos in college.
"I didn't mind the tattoo... it was pretty discrete," she said. "Most kids that are under 18 are still in school and they don't have the mindset to make those decisions."
Breckenridge resident and mother of two, Cindy Richels, said both of her daughters got tattoos when they were 18. When asked what she thought of them, she laughed and replied, "It was hidden....that stinker!" Richels added that it would be easier if all states adopted the law.
The law also requires a tattoo artists and establishments to carry state-issued licenses by Jan. 1, 2011.
Hinsverk: Tax won’t stop tanners
by Kim Kressin• Daily News Intern
As waves of bronzed bodies head to the Land of 10,000 Lakes this summer, the beaches may look a bit lighter due to a new tax.
Starting July 1, a 10 percent excise tax will be implemented on all indoor tanning sessions as a part of the recent health care reform bill. The tax is estimated to raise $2.7 billion in 10 years.
For the more than 30 million people who use tanning beds each year, the tax will affect their checkbooks. Ariana Tougas, 18, Breckenridge, said she will think twice before hitting the beds.
"I don't have a job and I don't like to pay for my tanning," she said.
While the teen said she used to tan almost everyday, she began to notice sun spots on her body and quit for a period of time. Now she only tans once or twice a week.
"I want to be tanner... because I am as white as paper otherwise," said Tougas.
When asked if she worries about getting skin cancer, she replied, "It runs in my family, so I know that I am going to get it."
Businesses may also be feeling the heat in July. But Steve Hisverk, co-owner of Northcoast Tanning in Wahpeton, said people won't quit tanning.
"It's not going to deter anybody. There will just be less money for people to spend elsewhere," he said. "I find it hard to believe that they would have a 10 percent tax on a service that is probably geared towards younger people."
Patty Lies, an adult nurse practitioner at Innovis Health in Wahpeton, said tanning is a significant concern for young people.
"We have treated several cases of melanoma in the last couple of years," she said.
One of the best ways to protect against various forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, is to use sunscreen.
Lies said SPF 30 is adequate and that it is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after you get out of the water.
NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE wrote on Jul 2, 2010 3:51 PM:
Waste of wrote on Jul 2, 2010 12:21 PM: