Kelley Redbord, MD, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Group of Northern Virginia Vienna, Virginia March 25, 2010

Myth: “Get a beautiful tan indoors without increasing your risk of skin cancer.” Fact: Both UVA and UVB rays in tanning devices damage the skin and can lead to skin cancer. Myth: “Indoor tanning is safer than the sun because the environment is controlled.” Fact: UV-A exposure from tanning devices can be up to 12 times stronger than UV-A emissions from the sun. Myth: “Indoor tanning is approved by the government.” Fact: No U.S. government agency recommends the use of indoor tanning equipment. Myth: “Indoor tanning is a safe way to increase vitamin D levels.” Fact: While UVB radiation helps your body produce vitamin D, you don’t need a tan to get that benefit.

 Launched in March 2008  Portrayed indoor tanning as safe and beneficial  Included  National newspaper ads  TV and video ads  Web sites  Communications guide  Point-of-sale materials

 In addition to denying the skin cancer risks of tanning, the ITA’s advertising campaign allegedly also made these false claims:  Indoor tanning is approved by the government;  Indoor tanning is safer than tanning outdoors because the amount of ultraviolet light received when tanning indoors is monitored and controlled;  Research shows that vitamin D supplements may harm the body’s ability to fight disease; and  A National Academy of Sciences study determined that “the risks of not getting enough ultraviolet light far outweigh the hypothetical risk of skin cancer.”  The complaint also alleges that the association failed to disclose material facts in its advertising.

 “NOTICE: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation may increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer and can cause serious eye injury.”  “NOTICE: You do not need to become tan for your skin to make vitamin D. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation may increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer and can cause serious eye injury.”

 Tanning beds require additional regulation.  To protect the public health, the FDA should:  Ban the use and sale of tanning devices in the US; or at a minimum, ▪ Reclassify tanning devices to the strongest possible category; ▪ Restrict access to tanning beds by minors; ▪ Require informed consent for all consumers; ▪ Require posted warning statements; ▪ Implement and enforce labeling recommendations from the TAN Act; and, ▪ Enforce additional state regulations.