Indoor Tanning Regulation, Enforcement, Taxation, and Policy

  • Andrea Suárez
  • Robert P. Dellavalle
  • June K. Robinson
Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

Tanning device use before the age of 35 is associated with a 75% increase in the risk for melanoma, a statistic prompting increased efforts towards limiting youth access to indoor tanning facilities. Numerous state, federal, and international restrictions focus on age restrictions, parental consent requirements, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure amount and frequency, warning labeling on the devices, taxation, and operator education. While commendable, these efforts are limited by non-compliance and insufficient enforcement of existing regulations.

A parallel can be drawn between the use of tobacco products and indoor-tanning. Despite serious health risks, large industries target teens and young adults to initiate indoor tanning and smoking through advertising that portrays these behaviors as socially appealing. Age restriction policies coupled with taxation effectively limit youth access to tobacco products, and therefore, may be useful models for effective tanning legislation strategies.

Keywords

Legislation Regulation Taxation Restrict youth access Advertising Food and Drug Administration Federal Trade Commission Ultraviolet radiation Limiting youth access to tobacco products Public health Education Skin cancer US federal regulations Indoor Tanning Association World Health Organization Tanning beds Minimal erythema dose 

Abbreviations

AAD

American Academy of Dermatology

AADA

American Academy of Dermatology Association

AMA

American Medical Association

ASDS

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

ASP

American Society for Photobiology

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FTC

Federal Trade Commission

ITA

Indoor Tanning Association

MED

Minimal erythemal dose

SCC

Squamous cell carcinoma

SID

Society for Investigative Dermatology

UK

United Kingdom

UV

Ultraviolet

WHO

World Health Organization

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Andrea Suárez
    • 1
  • Robert P. Dellavalle
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
  • June K. Robinson
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of DermatologyUniversity of Colorado DenverAuroraUSA
  2. 2.Denver Veterans Affairs Medical CenterDenverUSA
  3. 3.Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public HealthAuroraUSA
  4. 4.Department of DermatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUSA

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