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Youth Access to Tanning Parlors

Although many countries limit access to tobacco products, few restrict use of tanning parlors.

Attitudes toward tanning bed use are inconsistent in industrialized societies. Dermatologists sometimes appear to be shouting their opposition to this practice into the wind, but is anyone listening?

Researchers compared public health policies and legal strictures governing youth access to tobacco and to tanning parlors in 5 industrialized countries. The governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. legally limit youth access to tobacco, yet laws concerning youth access to tanning parlors vary greatly -- the English-speaking nations rarely limit tanning parlor access by youth. France does not allow people younger than 18 years access to tanning beds but, surprisingly, allows them to purchase tobacco.

Comment: Dermatologists strongly discourage tanning bed exposure, although most withdraw their objections when there is a clinical need for therapeutic UV light. Therapy is one thing, however, and recreational use is another. If we are going to change cultural attitudes about the risks of exposure to ultraviolet light as we have encouraged changed attitudes about smoking, we need our legislative bodies to provide clear guidance and avoid mixed signals. The practice of tanning by young or old, sometimes under the guise of "health improvement," should be discouraged by legal statute.

— James Ferguson, MD, FRCP

Published in Journal Watch Dermatology June 10, 2003

Citation(s):

Dellavalle RP et al. Youth access laws: In the dark at the tanning parlor? Arch Dermatol 2003 Apr; 139:443-8.

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