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Teenagers could be banned from public tanning salons if The American Academy of Pediatrics can have it their way.

A statement on their website says they'd support new laws that would make tanning beds illegal for people under 18. It's a part of an effort to protect youths from skin cancer risks. A national survey showed a 24 percent increase among Caucasian teenagers ages 13 to 19 who said they've used a tanning facility at least once.

The ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds can be 10 to 15 times more powerful than UV rays from the midday sun. Medical studies have linked tanning bed use to increases in skin cancer risks.

Since 1992, melanoma cases in young women have increased by 3 percent each year.

The AAP also says the dangers of skin cancer should be taught at a young age as well as prevention methods like wearing sunscreen and avoiding the midday sun. People with light skin and eyes who freckle or sunburn easily are at a higher risk. So are those with a family history of melanoma.

The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology also support the legislation.