Every once in a while, we like to feature tanning salons that have made the news, as well as tanning news that may affect you.
Here are a few articles we found this past week.
Ultimate Tan of Lawrence, Kansas was featured in the Lawrence Journal World & News as being certified by the
International Smart Tan network, an educational association that certifies tanning salons, teaches them about the tanning process, and what is expected of tanning salons.
A study by public health officials at San Diego State University found that there are more tanning salons in a big city than there are Starbucks or McDonald's. According to the story on MSNBC, the five cities with the highest density of salons per resident are Charleston, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; Akron, OH; Portlane, ME; and Columbia, SC.
The Indoor Tanning Association urged Spring Breakers to practice responsible tanning, with moderate exposure to tanning beds and taking extra care not to burn. They recommend salon customers get a base tan before spending a week in the Spring Break sun, tan moderately, and know the effects of medication on your skin type and the sun."
Speaking of Charleston, WV,
West Virginia state senator, Ron Stollings has introduced a bill (Senate Bill 488) that would require parents or guardians to give written permission for children under 18 to use a tanning salon. If the child is under 14, the parent or guardian would have to accompany them. The bill is being widely praised by the Skin Cancer Foundation, which hopes tanning salons will be illegal for minors.
A similar bill has been introduced in the Mississippi state House. Utah state legislators are trying to pass a tax on tanning salon owners. Utah Rep. Melvin Brown (R-Coalville) wants to tack a 10% tax on admissions or user fees at tanning salons to fund skin cancer research. Tanning salon owners are concerned that the tax will unfairly pick on one industry, and will add costs to tanning salons which are already suffering in this down economy.
