TY - JOUR
T1 - Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement
T2 - Ban indoor tanning for minors
AU - Pagoto, Sherry
AU - Hillhouse, Joel
AU - Heckman, Carolyn J.
AU - Coups, Elliot J.
AU - Stapleton, Jerod
AU - Buller, David
AU - Turrisi, Rob
AU - Robinson, June
AU - Geller, Alan C.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), an interdisciplinary professional organization focused on the science of health behavior joins the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a host of other national and international organizations in support of a total ban on indoor tanning for minors under the age of 18. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation are in the highest category of carcinogens, joining tobacco and asbestos. Strong evidence links indoor tanning to increased risk for melanoma with repeated exposure during childhood being associated with the greatest increase in risk. Several countries and five US states have passed legislation banning indoor tanning in minors. We strongly encourage the remaining US states to do the same in an effort to protect children and prevent new cases of melanoma. SBM also strongly encourages research that explores the use of tanning beds in the home. Home-based indoor tanning has the potential to be especially dangerous given the complete absence of safety regulations. Children are currently protected from exposure to health-harming substances like tobacco and lead; thus, legislation protecting them from artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation is yet another important step forward in improving public health.
AB - The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), an interdisciplinary professional organization focused on the science of health behavior joins the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a host of other national and international organizations in support of a total ban on indoor tanning for minors under the age of 18. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation are in the highest category of carcinogens, joining tobacco and asbestos. Strong evidence links indoor tanning to increased risk for melanoma with repeated exposure during childhood being associated with the greatest increase in risk. Several countries and five US states have passed legislation banning indoor tanning in minors. We strongly encourage the remaining US states to do the same in an effort to protect children and prevent new cases of melanoma. SBM also strongly encourages research that explores the use of tanning beds in the home. Home-based indoor tanning has the potential to be especially dangerous given the complete absence of safety regulations. Children are currently protected from exposure to health-harming substances like tobacco and lead; thus, legislation protecting them from artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation is yet another important step forward in improving public health.
KW - Health policy
KW - Indoor tanning
KW - Melanoma
KW - Prevention
KW - Skin cancer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84896499579&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84896499579&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13142-013-0240-1
DO - 10.1007/s13142-013-0240-1
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84896499579
SN - 1869-6716
VL - 4
SP - 124
EP - 126
JO - Translational Behavioral Medicine
JF - Translational Behavioral Medicine
IS - 1
ER -
