The end of tanning parlors
In the ‘70s, commercial tanning beds were introduced. In less than 3 decades, over half of adults in northern Europe reported using them.
Now, growing evidence of health risks is leading to restricted access to indoor tanning, worldwide.
Here’s what we know.
- Countries with nationwide indoor tanning legislation restricting access by people less than 19 years of age:
- 2 countries in 2003
- 11 countries in 2011
- 6 states or territories in Australia restrict indoor tanning for all minors.
- A province and a region in Canada have implemented youth tanning laws.
- 8 states, in addition to 3 preexisting state laws, in the US have implemented indoor tanning legislation since 2003.
The bottom line?
- Long-term health risks of indoor tanning
- Premature aging
- Immune suppression
- Cataract and other eye injuries
- Skin cancers
- Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
- ~20% of Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
- Evidence points to an association between tanning bed use and squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.
- Data increasingly demonstrate an association between tanning bed use and melanoma.
7/24/12 22:42 JR