Tanning Regulation by State Recent and Pending

Tanning regulations related to the use of indoor tanning beds and booths have been on the increase. While many state still do not regulate tanning salons many states either do or are currently working on tanning regulation bills.

Generally tanning regulation centers around restricting the use of tanning equipment for those under 14 without a doctors permission. This proposal has met no resistance from the tanning industry and is fairly common practice in salons nationwide.

This type of oversight is much needed but in many cases the tanning regulations proposed in many pending anti-tanning bills far exceed the under 14 ban. Currently a wave of bills have be introduced that would eliminate all choice and make it illegal to tan for anyone under the age of 18. Tanning regulation just like tanning should be moderate and designed to protect the communities in which tanning salons are located.

Significant debate still reigns as to the detrimental and/or positive impact of UV exposure. A parent and child should be able to make an informed decision about the merits of tanning in a controlled environment like a tanning salon versus going to the beach or pool and getting their tan in a less consistent environment.

Some doctors are adamant that tanning regulation is a vital necessity citing skin cancer concerns. While other doctors say any risk is outweighed by the positive impact in skin conditioning and Vitamin D. Certainly common sense would indicate that exposure to UV is best in a controlled environment versus direct random exposure to heavy UV doses like many experience at the beach or in their back yards.

Additionally there is no evidence of an increase in UV related skin cancer cases for indoor tannign salon patrons and according to the CDC studies there is limited change in skin cancer rates during the past 20 year period. One can also read the maps of higher rates of cases and find that areas where tanning salons operate in Texas and New York being the highest concentration of tanning salon in US and yet statistics are lower than average in those states. One could also look at tanning salon statistics and determine that very few individuals have ever actually used a tanning salon and about 40% of the population would never use such a facility because of their heredity creating no cosmetic benefit.

To find detailed information on tanning regulations and new and pending tanning regulation on a state by state level please refer to the charts contained in this section. Recently indoor tanning salons have come under increased tanning regulations and tanning fees associated with the services they provide.

As part of the health care initiative recently passed, tanning salon services are now taxed an additional 10% federal excise tax. This tax is in addition to state and local taxes as goevernment expands it reach for much needed government revenues.

While tanning salons are not alone in the tax expansion they are in an industry that has been hard hit by the economic downturn as health and Beauty services are considered a luxury to most. Industry statistics for 2010 saw a near 24% decrease in the number of tanning salons in the United Stated from just 2 years prior. Suppliers have seen a 30+% drop in orders indicating that the industry has likely lost over 30% in the 2 years since 2008.

Additionally local salons have seen increases in state regulation of the services they provide.

Tanning salon owners response has been one of exasperation. Salon owners name the massive Big Pharma PAC combined with the Dermatology PAC as the main drivers of the regulation. Big Pharma has joined in to support the 12 Billion dollar SPF industry which directly benefits from all anti-tanning news and/or regulation.

Indoor Tanning Restrictions For Minors Tan Regulation State Laws

Tanning Regulation For Tanning Salons Introduced in 2010

Tanning Regulation For Tanning Salons Introduced in 2009

New York Anti-Tanning Legislation