WASHINGTON, D.C. December 18, 2015 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two proposed regulations today that would prohibit tanning device use by minors under 18, strengthen the warning labels noting the danger of sun lamps and require those who tan to sign a form acknowledging the dangers of the devices every six months. A statement from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: The FDA 's long-awaited tanning device proposals are an important step that will help to reduce skin cancer diagnoses and deaths. We commend the FDA for educating the public about the dangers of exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation and restricting use for our nation 's youth. Indoor tanning devices are not safe. Those who use sunbeds before age 35 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, by 59 percent. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes tanning devices into its highest cancer risk category carcinogenic to humans, the same category as cigarettes. We call on the agency to quickly finalize the regulations reflecting the true danger of exposure, so consumers young and old think twice before engaging in unhealthy activity. ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Alissa Crispino or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5772 or (202) 661-5711 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #acscan #cancer #skincancer #tanning #melanoma