Hawaii lawmakers vote to ban certain sunscreen lotions to protect coral from chemicals

From Banana Boat to Coppertone, major sunscreen brands may soon have to revamp their products or stop selling them in Hawaii.

State lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that would ban skincare companies from selling and distributing sunscreens on the islands that contain two chemicals deemed damaging to coral reefs.

If Governor David Ige signs the bill, it would make Hawaii the first state to enact legislation designed to protect marine ecosystems by banning such sunscreens.

A spokeswoman for Ige did not indicate whether he plans to sign the bill, which is opposed by various companies and business associations.

SB 2471 states that the chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, “have significant harmful impacts on Hawaii’s marine environment and residing ecosystems”; the bill aims to keep sunscreens that contain the chemicals off store shelves. The products would still be available to those who have a prescription from a licensed health care provider, the legislation states.

State Senator Mike Gabbard, the Democrat who introduced the bill, told the Star Advertiser that it would be “a first-in-the-world law.”

“So, Hawaii is definitely on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals in sunscreens,” Gabbard said in an email to the newspaper. “When you think about it, our island paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the gold standard for the world to follow. This will make a huge difference in protecting our coral reefs, marine life, and human health.”