Several Illinois newspapers have officially criticized the state legislature’s enactment of an under-18 tanning ban as an unnecessary nanny state restriction and a waste of legislative time.

“Illinois stepped over the edge Thursday and chose to further intrude into the lives of its minion residents […],” one newspaper wrote. “Yet with the exception of a mom seeking 15 minutes of fame and a character on an MTV reality show who probably glows orange in the dark, is there anyone who doesn’t recognize the importance of moderation?”

The article went on to mock the ban’s narrow focus and inability to achieve what it sets forth to do.

“To truly target the problem, the state also needs to go after the source of most teens’ tans: The sun,” the author sarcastically notes. “Perhaps prohibiting those under 18 from being outside in summer between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. could be next, or requiring families to seek waivers before taking the children out to the beach for the day.

Click here to read the editorial.