Tanning Bed Restrictions Proposed By FDA For Those Under 18

Ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning beds pose serious health risk, including increased risk of skin cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug (FDA) recently proposed a rule that would ban minors from using tanning beds-requiring anyone under 18 to sign a waiver regarding health risks at the first session and then every six months following, according to a news release. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer by 59 percent. Based on this information, health officials predict that 1.6 million minors are using tanning beds.

"The FDA understands that some adults may decide to continue to use sunlamp products," acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Ostroff said in a news release. "These proposed rules are meant to help adults make their decisions based on truthful information and to ensure manufacturers and tanning facilities take additional steps to improve the safety of these devices."

The agency also proposed several new regulations for manufacturers, among them the mandatory inclusion of an emergency shut-off button, improving eyewear, prohibiting device modifications, and making warnings more clearly visible.

The FDA notes that warnings on tanning beds would also require to be clearer and enlarged, with all tanning beds requiring an emergency shut-off switch or "panic button."

Related Articles

Melanoma: Tanning Rates Are Lower, But Millions Still At Risk

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).