ASDSA Urges New York City Board of Health to Adopt Indoor Tanning Regulations

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The long-term misuse of tanning beds over time can cause a significant impact on the public health of New Yorkers.

Rolling Meadows, Ill. (PRWEB) November 16, 2013

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) supports the proposed “Article 177” on indoor tanning and will encourage the New York City Board of Health to enact it into law at a Monday hearing.

Article 177 would allow the New York City Department of Health to enforce indoor tanning laws within the city limits, including the ability to license and register salons, establish safety and sanitary standards, require acknowledgement statements be signed by users and enforce the state’s under-17 indoor tanning ban for minors.

Former ASDSA President Darrell S. Rigel, M.D., who practices dermatology in New York City, will provide testimony on behalf of the ASDSA in support of the proposed rules. Dr. Rigel coauthored a recent study that examined the sanitary conditions of tanning devices in New York City, finding that all of the tanning devices sampled had one to five harmful types of bacteria known to cause serious skin diseases.

“The long-term misuse of tanning beds over time can cause a significant impact on the public health of New Yorkers.” said Dr. Rigel. “It contributes a significant cost to the government to treat skin cancer and other medical ailments linked to using these devices. Enforcing the safety, sanitary and age restrictions for minors can help to alleviate some of the risks and costs, while providing the health and medical community with a vehicle for public education on the wide array of health issues that these devices can cause.”

The proposed rules would transfer regulatory oversight of indoor tanning from the N.Y. State Department of Health – which currently regulates indoor tanning devices – to the NYC Department of Health. If enacted, New York City could become a model for other municipalities across the United States seeking similar public health initiatives related to indoor tanning. Tanning salons also will be required to post signage near tanning devices warning users of the risks associated with the machines. Any safety, health or other violations discovered by the city would result in the closure of the salon until the violation is fixed.

“The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association urges the New York City Board of Health to adopt Article 177 as proposed. It establishes stronger enforcement mechanisms for indoor tanning restrictions in New York City,” said ASDSA President Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D. “Stronger enforcement of all aspects of indoor tanning laws – including requiring consumers to sign a waiver acknowledging the risks associated with indoor tanning – should raise the public’s awareness about the underlying dangers these devices pose to consumers.”

These proposed rules were announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in early October, declaring that regulating the indoor tanning industry should be made a priority as the risks associated with indoor tanning is a serious threat to public health. The proposed rules were presented to the Board of Health on October 11.
The President of the New York State Society for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Robert R. Walther, M.D., also will testify in support of Article 177.

About the ASDSA
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function and beauty of your skin. Dermatologic surgeons are experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to taking steps to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit ASDSA.

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