WASHINGTON, DC March 23, 2016 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) this week urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address safety concerns associated with indoor tanning and finalize the proposed rules as soon as possible to better protect adolescents from one of the most avoidable known risk factors for skin cancer. To protect youth from the harmful effects of artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a federal rule to restrict access of tanning devices to individuals under 18 is essential, without exceptions, the letter stated. In addition, the FDA needs to ensure that enforcement measures and oversight mechanisms are in place to guarantee that youth are not gaining access to these harmful devices. The comments further explained why restricting the use of tanning devices to individuals age 18 and older is important because teens are tanning at increasingly higher rates. According to the most recent data, one in five high school girls have used a tanning device, with numbers increasing to one in four by their senior year. Studies also show using an indoor tanning device before age 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59 percent.
ACS CAN also filed comments on a separate proposed rule regarding tanning devices, urging the FDA to finalize the rule that would strengthen warning labels on the devices, address eye safety concerns, and require a panic button giving users the option to turn off a device at any time. 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 www.fightcancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jill Courtney or Alissa Crispino American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 585-3278 or (202) 661-5772 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #acscan #fda #skincancer #indoortanning #tanning #cancer