State regulatory advocacy efforts continue to be an important part of the American Suntanning Association’s efforts to promote the responsible use of sunbeds in professional salons.
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Efforts to restrict UV tanning in salons for clients under age 18 and efforts to add redundant and expensive licensing and inspection programs – including promulgation of bureaucracy-heavy regulatory regimes – continue to be the most common topics of indoor tanning legislation in state houses.
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Thirteen states including Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas all had active bills filed for 2019. ASA efforts also prevented bills from being filed in several other states.
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Joe Levy, ASA’s Director of Scientific Affairs, has traveled extensively to stop the tanning salon regulatory attacks that continue to threaten the market. “Joe hasn’t spent much time at home this year due to the number and complexity of the state regulatory bills,” said ASA President, Melinda Norton. “I don’t think the tanning salon market knows how fortunate they are to have someone as knowledgeable as Joe who is willing to travel to a state hearing in a minute’s notice.”
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Since 2013, Levy has traveled to 40 state capitols for ASA, working diligently to oppose the incorrect science presented by bill proponents as the cornerstone of our lobbying efforts – pointing out that the data on the risks of UV exposure from sunbeds, when separated by the location of the unit, show that non-salon sunbeds are the source of significant risk in the existing data, but that tanning salons have not been isolated as a source of significant risk. Research now clearly explains this important caveat.
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One thing is certain: When salons are actively participating with ASA in the effort, the success rate for winning is much higher.
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The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, AIM at Melanoma and state dermatology groups have continued to pressure state legislators to introduce state legislation preventing people under age 18 from using UV tanning services in salons.
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“Our opponents continue to distort the issue,” Levy said. “But when we have a chance to explain the nuance of UV science and demonstrate how the professional market is being responsible, we’ve developed support for our efforts in state capitols.”
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ASA has actively lobbied against under-18 UV tanning restrictions since the Association’s formation in December 2012. But, successfully defeating these onerous regulations has become more and more difficult over the years. Stopping teen tan bans and keeping parental rights in place made sense for regulators who are proponents of smaller government. Today, many anti-regulatory legislators have grown tired of the constant barrage of attacks by anti-tanning proponents. “I’m seeing more and more conservative legislators support anti-tanning regulations and some are even sponsoring bills,” said Levy. “They’re telling me that they’re tired of the bills coming up year after year from the anti-tanning groups.”
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When it comes to successfully defeating regulatory attacks, one thing is certain: When salons are actively participating with ASA in the effort, the success rate for winning is much higher. Levy says, “Legislators need to hear from the businesses that are being impacted by these actions. If these lawmakers are not getting pushback from tanning salons, it becomes much easier to advance these bills forward.” Levy encourages salons to contact ASA offices to get involved and increase the potential for stopping these business-threatening regulations.
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To find out how you can get involved, send an email to info@americansuntanning.org or call 855.879.7678.
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About the ASA
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Founded in 2012, the American Suntanning Association is committed to defending and growing the industry through a detailed and proactive plan directed by an all-salon board and executed by more than two dozen management and consulting team members who specialize in this type of work.
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