FDA considering banning tanning beds for minors

The Food and Drug Administration has been regulating the bulbs in the tanning industry for 20 years now advisers feel there is enough evidence for the FDA to tighten their control on the industry.

On Thursday a panel of advisers told the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that greater control over the tanning industry was needed. It was felt that minors, those under 18, should have stricter regulations regarding the use of tanning beds. The FDA has regulated the use of bulbs for 20 years, still recent World Health Organization research has shown that the deadliest forms of skin cancer increases in risk by 75 percent for people who use tanning beds in their teens and early 20's. According to Dr. Michael Olding, one of the panelists, "Given the absence of any demonstrated benefit, I think it's an obligation for us to ban artificial tanning for those under 18." Currently 30 states have some form of regulation in place, mostly involving parental consent. If the FDA gets involved it will be a national mandate. On Thursday the FDA spent five hours listen to doctors and skin cancer survivors urging them to take action. While the FDA is not required to follow the advise of their panels they often do in some form or another. Dr. William James, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association reported seeing an increase in the number of young women that have skin cancer and are also that have been going to indoor tanning salons. Dr. James is claiming that these places appeal to women's desires to be attractive. The tanning industry has stated that the tanning lamps are a good source of vitamin D, which is needed for healthier blood and stronger bones. The scientists for the FDA dismissed that argument saying that dietary supplements are a better source. In 2009, almost 69,000 U.S. cases of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, were diagnosed last year. Melanoma is particularly linked to sun burns at a young age even though it isn't diagnosed until people are in their 40's and 50's. Also fair-skinned people are at a much higher risk for skin cancer.