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