FDA proposes ban on indoor tanning for minors

Statistics show that millions of people tan indoors annually and the risk of developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – increases by 59 percent for individuals who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning. Tanning salons and other businesses would have to collect the forms from their customers before their first tanning session and every six months thereafter.

The second proposed rule would require sunlamp manufacturers and tanning facilities to make warnings easier to read, require an emergency shut off button, and improve eye safety requirements. “Exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, and tanning beds are created to directly expose the skin to radiation in amounts several times greater than that provided by natural sunlight”.

Indeed, a 2014 study found that people who used indoor tanning devices before age 20 were twice as likely as those who had never used the devices to develop a form of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma by age 50.

“Today’s action is meant to help protect young people from a known and preventable cause of skin cancer and other harms”, said acting FDA commissioner Stephen Ostroff said in a statement. Fred Risser has proposed a bill that would ban minors from using tanning beds in Wisconsin.

In addition, proposed legislative changes from the FDA will require manufacturers of tanning products to further clarify the dangers of using their sunbeds and lamps.

“These are important first steps and, if passed, will be a great help in deterring teens from using tanning beds and other artificial sources for tanning”, said Dr. Doris Day, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. We encourage the FDA to finalize this proposed rule as it would as it would be a historic victory in our nation’s fight to eradicate skin cancer.

Previous year the FDA required tanning beds and sun lamps to carry new warnings that they should not be used by anyone under age 18. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has logged an an average of 3,000 such injuries during emergency room visits occur each year. The FDA has regulated tanning machines for over 30 years, but had previously taken little action to restrict their use.

The Indoor Tanning Association has argued that the decision on whether a teen is allowed to suntan is one for parents, not government, and it supports parental consent.

If the FDA gets it way, prom season will be paler in more parts of the country.

The rules are available for public comment for 90 days at www.regulations.gov, with comments being accepted beginning December 21.