The American Suntanning Association is staying ahead of attempts to over-regulate professional indoor tanning facilities at the state and federal level in 2024. And we’re working with partners worldwide to do so.
ASA has worked with suppliers since 2015 to work constructively with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on the agency’s proposals to re-tool FDA proposed regulations for sunlamp products. FDA has delayed finalization of those proposed rules a dozen times since 2016, but has most recently called for the rules to be completed this spring.
“As a solution-oriented player in the sun-care field, our work with FDA has been cooperative,” commented ASA Executive Director Joseph Levy. “This professionalism and problem-solving approach are why our efforts have been successful in the state regulatory arena in the past ten years.”
As of press time for this issue, ASA is on the winning side in all eight state legislative issues raised in 2024 without a defeat, using science to convince legislators that our approach to sunburn prevention and parental consent for tanners is the best way to address sun care issues. In the past four years, ASA is 37-0 in state capital issues.
ASA once again in 2024 has worked to prevent legislative proposals to enact under-21 sunbed restrictions from moving forward anywhere in America.
ASA once again in 2024 has successfully prevented under-18 sunbed restriction legislation from advancing in several legislatures – gaining bi-partisan support in many states for the scientifically supported position that sunburn prevention is not advanced by restricting access to professional sunbeds.
As of press time for this issue, ASA is on the winning side in all eight state legislative issues raised in 2024 without a defeat.
ASA this year once again halted legislative talk to restrict spray tanning services to under-18 clients.
ASA in 2024 convinced a state regulatory agency to abandon an effort to limit sunbed clients to 1-2 sessions per week.
In many cases, ASA convinced would-be bill sponsors not to even introduce bills after seeing the science that does not support that approach. Some of our victories involved tax bills and other issues.
And, more than ever, ASA’s promotion and defense of the market with policymakers is founded in constructive dialogue that positions tanning professionals as part of the solution in real-world sun care. And never shying away from open discussion with opponents, many of whom still do not fully understand the sun care issue.
“We have blazed a common approach of putting real-world sun care in constructive, scientifically supported terms,” continued Levy, who is also Director of Scientific Affairs. “We can demonstrate that our position is solid scientifically.”
Levy has now traveled to 43 different state capitols on behalf of ASA and ASA partners.
“The best way to keep legislation from getting any traction is to re-dedicate your tanning business to professional practices, sunburn prevention and to be worthy of the path that is being blazed for the tanning market of tomorrow,” Levy said. “And get involved with ASA. We need your support.”
