U.S. regulator proposes tanning bed age restrictions

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday proposed new rules restricting the use of sunlamp products also commonly known as indoor tanning beds, to individuals 18 and older.

In addition, before their first tanning session and every six months thereafter, adult users over age 18 would have to sign a risk acknowledgement certification.

"Today's action is intended to help protect young people from a known and preventable cause of skin cancer and other harms," acting FDA Commissioner Stephen Ostroff said in a statement. "Individuals under 18 are at greatest risk of the adverse health consequences of indoor tanning."

Indoor tanning is a known contributor to skin cancer, including melanoma, its most deadly form, and other skin damage. Yet, 1.6 million minors indoor tan each year, increasing their risk of skin cancer and other damage, the FDA said.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, those who have been exposed to radiation from indoor tanning are 59 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors.

The new rules also required that sunlamp manufacturers and tanning facilities take additional measures to improve the overall safety of these devices.

Some of the key proposed changes would include: making warnings easier to read and more prominent on the device; requiring an emergency shut off switch, or "panic button"; improving eye safety by adding requirements that would limit the amount of light allowed through protective eyewear; and prohibiting dangerous device modifications, like installing stronger bulbs, without re-certifying and re-identifying the device with the FDA.

The proposed rules will be open for public comment for 90 days.

About 18,000 to 19,000 indoor tanning salons and 15,000 to 20,000 other facilities, such as health clubs, spas, and other commercial establishments offer tanning services in the U.S, the FDA said. Endit