Indoor tanning regulation, enforcement, taxation, and policy

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.