Global Tanning Bed Advertising: A Comparison of Legal Regulations on Three Continents

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Epidemiologic studies showed that ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds causes skin cancer. Many countries now have laws regulating commercial indoor tanning, including rules on advertising and information for customers. We compiled a comprehensive overview of these regulations in 131 legislative units across North America, Australia/New Zealand, and Europe. The type and content of legal restrictions varies widely. In 49 legislative units, we identified different types of advertising bans for indoor tanning, while 64 legislative units had regulations mandating the dissemination of specific health information to tanning bed customers. In nearly 40% of the legislative units, there was no legislation at all on these topics. The heterogenous results call for an international dialogue between health authorities and governments to harmonize the regulatory framework for tanning bed advertising and information requirements to a level better protecting the public from skin cancer. ABSTRACT: Artificial ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds has been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2009. Several countries have subsequently introduced comprehensive legislation regulating commercial indoor tanning. Specific aspects of these regulations address tanning bed advertising and information requirements for tanning bed customers, which have been previously neglected in international comparisons of indoor tanning regulations. We performed a systematic search regarding legislation on these aspects in 131 legislative units across three continents (North America, Australia/New Zealand, Europe). The legal restrictions found varied widely in type and content. In 49 legislative units we identified total (n = 8) or partial legal bans (n = 41) on advertising for indoor tanning, while 64 legislative units enacted 5regulations that necessitate the dissemination of different types of specific health information to tanning bed customers. Nearly 40% of the legislative units of the study region lacked any legislation on these issues altogether. The heterogenous results emphasize the need for an international dialogue between health authorities and governments to harmonize the regulatory framework for tanning bed advertising and information requirements to a level better protecting the public from skin cancer. Our comprehensive international comparison can serve as a starting point for such a harmonization process that may ultimately protect the public worldwide from misleading tanning bed advertising.