I’m sure that most of you have heard about the “tan mom,” a woman who tans frequently and was accused of bringing her child into a tanning booth. The accusation arose after school officials noticed sunburns on the child’s skin. The woman maintains she has never taken her child into a tanning booth. The case is still under investigation.
Did you know that teenagers who use tanning salons at a young age have a 70% higher chance of developing skin cancer?
To protect teens, tanning salons have restrictions in place that require ID and proof of age to use their facilities. Parental consent is also required at the time of tanning, with 18 years old being the minimum age.
The Today Show ran an undercover segment where they sent two young women to six salons to tan. They specifically stated that they were underage and that no parent was with them.
Three of the places refused service immediately with no exceptions, stating, “You are underage, no.”
The other three salons violated the rules and allowed them to tan. One even told the accompanying friend, “It’s okay that you are not the parent, you can sign for her.”
When confronted, one clerk denied the violation, saying, “You weren’t there to see what happened, she stated she was her guardian.” The reporter responded, “I did see, I was watching through a hidden camera.”
One of the businesses reported that the clerk who allowed the violation was fired for knowingly breaking the rules.
When asked how these violations could be prevented, authorities stated that harsher fines and penalties need to be implemented. Currently, fines can be up to $100 for infractions.
For a small business, a $100 fine may not serve as a strong enough deterrent, particularly if violations occur repeatedly and generate revenue in the process. Stronger enforcement measures could help ensure that the rules are taken more seriously across the board.
If you are a young person, or a parent of one, be cautious about tanning booths. Skin cancer is a serious health risk.
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