Feds want to ban young people from using tanning beds

The FDA is proposing a change, banning anyone under 18 from using a tanning bed.

Alicia Jaeger lies in a filter glass tanning bed at a BodyHeat tanning salon in Henderson, Jan. 16, 2009.

Oklahoma lawmakers need to take action on legislation restricting the use of indoor tanning beds to those 18 and older.

The agency has also recommended signing of a document by adults stating that they understand the risks associated with the use of tanning devices.

But the FDA has been trying for years to restrict tanning devices’ use among young people.

As per the FDA, UV radiation exposure in children and teenagers is more harmful putting them at an increased risk of skin and eye damage later in life. “Prohibiting access to indoor tanning for minors will make a significant difference in reducing their risk of developing skin cancer”. “Pediatricians welcome FDA’s action and will continue to urge parents and our young patients to protect their skin from ultraviolet radiation and to avoid tanning beds altogether”, she said.

Still, survey data cited by the FDA show that 1.6 million minors use indoor tanning devices each year. Ostroff explained that kids and teens are the age group that has the highest risk to develop cancer from indoor tanning. Acting FDA Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, M.D. said, “Individuals under 18 years are at greatest risk of the adverse health consequences of indoor tanning”.

“Indoor tanning is particularly risky for younger users”, said Dr. Vasum Peiris, chief medical officer for pediatrics and special populations at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

“I honestly feel like that’s the parents’ choice”, she said. In fact, indoor tanning devices are required to have the Food and Drug Administration’s sternest warning label and the World Health Organization categorizes indoor tanning as a known carcinogen, the same classification given to cigarettes.

The Indoor Tanning Association recently told reporters that the new regulations would make the financial situation of its members even worse due to additional costs in an already sensitive economic climate.

There have always been safety concerns regarding indoor- and self-tanning, as more than 3,000 annual United States emergency room visits, on average, are linked to indoor tanning.

There are 18,000 to 19,000 indoor tanning salons in the United States and an additional 15,000 to 20,000 other facilities that offer indoor tanning services, such as spas and health clubs, according to the FDA.

If approved, these rules would be enforced by the FDA with help from state agencies and consumers via complaints.