part 2

The Los Angeles Times did a survey that reported misconceptions that many Americans share about tanning. Their results came out to 37% mistakenly believe that indoor tanning beds are safer than outdoor sun exposure, 40% aren’t aware that burns and tans during childhood are linked to skin cancer in adults, 52% think a base tan protects the skin from further sun exposure even though it doesn’t, and 65% don’t realize that all UV rays are harmful to the skin. While so many American’s believe these misconceptions it is no wonder that skin cancer is the most common out of all the cancers and accounts for nearly half of all the skin cancers in the United States. Tanning beds are also linked to the type of skin cancer known as melanoma which is the deadliest type of skin cancer if it is not treated early.

So what exactly is our country doing to help prevent skin cancer from tanning salons?

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization that has information about all kinds of cancers. To prevent skin cancer they are trying to educate the public about the dangers to the skin from the exposure of the sun and the harmful effects of tanning salons. They have offered prevention programs at schools, childcare centers, primary care offices, and beach and recreation areas. The ACS also advocates with lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to ensure responsible health policies are enacted and to increase funding for research and testing and treatment coverage. The society also provides support services and programs with those and their families who are dealing with cancer.

Research indicates that high risk exposure happens more commonly in teens and that blistering sunburns and overexposure during childhood greatly increase the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. For this reason law makers in some states are regulating the use of tanning beds to minors. These policies include having parental permission to anyone under the age of 18, limiting the time that can spent in the tanning bed, and providing and requiring the use of eye protection. A Denver law also doesn’t allow minor to use a tanning bed unless they have a prescription from their doctor. Doctors are only allowed to give out these prescriptions to those who have a rare skin condition or psychological disorder that could improve with tanning.

An FDA advisory meeting was held on March 2010 to seek independent, professional expertise and advice on regulatory issues related to tanning devices. These new regulations may include revising some requirements of tanning beds and strengthening the warning labels so that the tanning bed user would be more aware of the risks.

The Obama Administration has just approved that a 10% tax would be placed on those who use indoor tanning salons in an effort to help support the health care bill. The 10% tanning tax replaced the 5% Botox tax that was originally included in the bill. The tax would be put on electronic products designed for tanning that use one or more ultraviolet lamps with wavelengths between 200 and 400 nanometers. Spray tans and spray lotions are not included in this tax. A 10% tax could help increase the amount of tanning salon users which in turn will hopefully decrease the amount of skin cancers in America.

Although this tax may help save many lives, many tanning salon owners and customers are outraged by this tax. Joseph Levy, vice president of the International Smart Tan Network, estimates that 9,000 jobs may be taken away as well as the closing of over 1,000 different tanning salons. He states, “the tax also targets middle-class and female business owners, with about two-thirds of tanning salons in the U.S. owned by women”.