By Antonio Caban
BOSTON, DEC. 18, 2015....Minors would be restricted from using tanning devices and manufacturers and salon owners would be required to update tanning safety measures, under two new rules proposed Friday by the federal government.
The steps announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nearly mirror a state Senate measure sponsored by Sen. James Timilty that passed unanimously in November.
"Today's action is intended to help protect young people from a known and preventable cause of skin cancer and other harms," said acting FDA Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, M.D. in a statement posted online. "Individuals under 18 years are at great risk of the adverse health consequences of indoor tanning."
The FDA said children and teens exposed to UV radiation can increase their risk for developing melanoma, skin and eye damage later in life.
In addition to restricting minors from using tanning devices, the FDA is proposing that adults using a tanning device sign a form which outlines health risks associated with tanning. The form would be signed prior to their first tanning session and every six months thereafter.
The FDA rules would also require that tanning device manufacturers and facilities such as spas, health clubs and salons make warning signs and labels more prominent on the devices and improve protective eyewear to reduce the amount of light allowed through them. The rules would prohibit making modifications to a tanning device without re-certifying it first with the FDA.
Acknowledging that adults will continue to use tanning products, Ostroff said the rules are more about helping them make better decisions based on "truthful information."
Under Timilty's bill (S 1994), minors would be banned from using indoor tanning devices and salon owners would be barred from allowing minors operate them.
The Walpole Democrat has been pushing tanning legislation for nearly a decade, but the bill has never made it through the House.
Amber Herting, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said her organization hopes to see movement on Timilty's bill early next year and in a statement called the FDA's proposals "an important step."
The FDA says it will accept public comment on the proposed rules starting Monday, December 21.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.