TY - JOUR
T1 - Comprehensive evaluation of indoor tanning regulations
T2 - A 50-State Analysis, 2012
AU - Gosis, Bridget
AU - Sampson, Blake P.
AU - Seidenberg, Andrew B.
AU - Balk, Sophie J.
AU - Gottlieb, Mark
AU - Geller, Alan C.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Teenage use of indoor tanning has reached epidemic proportions. There is no federal ban on teen use; rather, it is left to each state to determine policy. We conducted a state-by-state analysis using data from each state's statutes and regulations and supplementary information from the National Conference of State Legislatures. First, we refined an earlier 35-item instrument to now include 56 items that extensively measures age bans, parental involvement, warnings/information, enforcement, and operating requirements. To grade each tanning law, we developed a uniform scoring system with a goal of providing performance data for future comparisons. As of August 2012, 13 states had no tanning facility statute or regulation for minors. In states with some regulations, teen bans are lax - nearly uniformly, most young children under the age of 14 can legally tan with or without suboptimal parental consent or accompaniment laws. Strong Food and Drug Administration involvement can simplify and unify the inconsistencies that exist among states' indoor tanning laws. Until consistent regulations are promulgated and enforced, such an instrument can provide a benchmark for state investigations into the deficiencies and progress of their laws, as well as facilitate direct comparison between states for research and educational purposes.
AB - Teenage use of indoor tanning has reached epidemic proportions. There is no federal ban on teen use; rather, it is left to each state to determine policy. We conducted a state-by-state analysis using data from each state's statutes and regulations and supplementary information from the National Conference of State Legislatures. First, we refined an earlier 35-item instrument to now include 56 items that extensively measures age bans, parental involvement, warnings/information, enforcement, and operating requirements. To grade each tanning law, we developed a uniform scoring system with a goal of providing performance data for future comparisons. As of August 2012, 13 states had no tanning facility statute or regulation for minors. In states with some regulations, teen bans are lax - nearly uniformly, most young children under the age of 14 can legally tan with or without suboptimal parental consent or accompaniment laws. Strong Food and Drug Administration involvement can simplify and unify the inconsistencies that exist among states' indoor tanning laws. Until consistent regulations are promulgated and enforced, such an instrument can provide a benchmark for state investigations into the deficiencies and progress of their laws, as well as facilitate direct comparison between states for research and educational purposes.
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U2 - 10.1038/jid.2013.357
DO - 10.1038/jid.2013.357
M3 - Article
C2 - 23974917
AN - SCOPUS:84894029947
SN - 0022-202X
VL - 134
SP - 620
EP - 627
JO - Journal of Investigative Dermatology
JF - Journal of Investigative Dermatology
IS - 3
ER -