Health official endorses legalized tattooing

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state health commissioner said Friday he supports an attempt to legalize tattooing in Oklahoma.<br/><br/>Oklahoma is the only state in the nation that bans tattooing.<br/><br/>Doctor

Friday, February 11th 2005, 2:09 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state health commissioner said Friday he supports an attempt to legalize tattooing in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is the only state in the nation that bans tattooing.

Doctor Mike Crutcher says the ban in is causing a health risk by encouraging unsanitary and unregulated underground tattooing. He says diseases like Hepatitis B and C and even HIV can be spread by unsafe tattoo practices.

State Representative Al Lindley is sponsoring a bill to legalize tattooing in Oklahoma and make it an industry regulated by the Health Department.

A similar measure was killed in the state Senate last year. Lindley says he's been assured the bill will get a hearing in a state House committee.