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Despite compelling evidence that tanning beds cause skin cancer, including melanomas, use continues to rise in the U.S. and around the world. The American Cancer Society reports that nearly one third of white American women 18–25 engaged in indoor tanning in 2010. Many organizations urged restricted access to tanning parlors for children 18 years and younger. A new study reports that these efforts have been partially successful.
In the 8-year period from 2003 to 2011, legislation restricting tanning bed use became increasingly common worldwide. In 2003, only two countries (France and Brazil), three U.S. states (Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin), and one Canadian province (New Brunswick) placed age limits on indoor tanning bed use. (Another 17 states required guardian consent or accompaniment for minors.) By 2011, a complete ban on indoor tanning was in effect in Brazil, and 11 countries prohibited tanning for minors. In the U.S., 11 states had laws banning indoor tanning by minors, and 21 other states required guardian consent.
Pawlak MT et al. Legislation restricting access to indoor tanning throughout the world. Arch Dermatol 2012 Jul 16: [e-pub ahead of print]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2012.2080)
Comment
As more evidence shows the deleterious effects of tanning beds, increasing numbers of states and countries limit their use. These devices are used almost entirely for cosmetic purposes and are probably responsible for the dramatic increase in skin cancers in women younger than 40. Moreover, meta-analyses show that tanning bed use before the age of 30 is a risk factor for melanoma. Indoor tanning is popular among adolescents and carries particular risks for cancer and photoaging in young users. Dermatologists are to be commended — in the U.S., they have spearheaded much of the effort to legislate constraints on tanning bed use. However, we cannot rest on our laurels: Restrictions are still weak and insufficiently enforced in many states. We must continue to lead the way by lobbying for laws that, like restrictions on tobacco, limit access to carcinogenic indoor tanning devices.