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DENVER (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study finds there is no uniformity when it comes to laws governing indoor tanning for youth. Both the authors of the study and the author of an accompanying editorial call for action to model tanning bed laws on the example of tobacco laws for youth.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with more than 1 million new cases reported in 2002. For many teenagers, tanned skin is considered socially acceptable as a sign of beauty and health. In fact, the number of minors using tanning devices is growing. Researchers from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center compared laws governing youth access to indoor tanning facilities to those governing youth access to tobacco.
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The authors of the study looked at the laws in six industrialized nations. Specifically, they looked at national, provincial and state legal systems in Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, England and the United States.
Researchers report the five English-speaking countries prohibit access to tobacco but rarely limit youth access to UV irradiation from tanning salons. Researchers did find some limited access in few states in the United States and regions in Canada. For example, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and New Brunswick prohibit tanning salon use by minors younger than 13, 14, 16 and 18 years old, respectively. On the other hand, French law bans those under 18 from using a tanning salon and, until recently, allowed them to buy tobacco. In February 2003, France passed a new law banning the sale of tobacco to children under 16.
Authors of this study say laws governing youth access to indoor tanning merit consideration. Marie-France Demierre, M.D., from Boston Medical Center agrees. In an editorial, Dr. Demierre writes, "There is unequivocal evidence that indoor tanning represents harm to young people." She says dermatologists, health professionals, policy makers and parents must join efforts to move this issue forward. She feels a grassroots effort will be key in creating laws that govern youth access to indoor tanning salons.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers a searchable archive of its medical reports written since 1995. To search, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/search/.
SOURCE: Archives of Dermatology, 2003;139:443-448,520-524
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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