The U.S. House is poised to consider a repeal of the tax on indoor tanning beds. Congress is expected to vote on this in the next few days, and we need your immediate action.
The AAFP has signed onto a letter with other physician organizations in strong opposition to the repeal of the indoor tanning tax in any legislation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization’s International Agency of Research on Cancer panel have declared ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning beds and sun lamps to be a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Multiple studies have shown that exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Researchers estimate that indoor tanning may cause upwards of 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year and result in more than $6 billion in spending annually on skin cancer treatment.
Should the tax on indoor tanning be repealed, experts project it would lead to an increase in skin cancer and the cost of skin cancer treatment to the overall healthcare system.
Speak out now; tell Congress not to repeal the indoor tanning tax!