How To Warn Teens Against The Danger Of Tanning
Posted by meredith on 07-31-2009
The ongoing fight against young people who visit tanning salons just got a little more serious. Earlier this week the International Agency for Research on Cancer moved tanning beds to the highest cancer risk category raising the previous warning level from “probable cancer agent” to “definite agent” alongside substances like tobacco, arsenic and mustard gas. Um, yikes, right?
This article suggests young clientele are already responding to the alarming headlines by canceling their salon memberships and asking more questions about the risks, but will they really stay away come winter or next year’s prom? I asked Youth Advisory Board member Liz Funk, who has mentioned her own tanning habits in the past, what she thought and this was her response:
“To be perfectly honest, this study doesn’t scare me. There always seem to be new studies that cite the dangers of tanning and they all usually sound the same. I am trying to taper off of tanning right now–simply because the release of this study, which my mom actually clipped out of the newspaper and put on our fridge–is timed with the first blistering sunburn that I ever got which hopefully scared some sense into me– although I can’t say that I’m not going to tan again.”
I’m guessing Liz’s thoughts probably echo a lot of those teens and twentysomethings who have become hooked on tanning — initial shock that eventually fades into the background. That’s why publicizing statistics like these should only the first step.
For all the legislation that’s been thrown at the problem (parental consent, doctor’s permission, flat-out bans), we have yet to see a high-profile campaign that actually illustrates the dangers of tanning, namely the real threat of skin cancer. A threat that increases by 75% when exposure starts before the age of 30. So how do we deliver this reality check to teens who continue to see perpetually tanned stars and hear word of supposed health benefits floated by the Indoor Tanning Association? To me, the best approach would take a similar strategy as anti-smoking ads that show long-time smokers battling smoking-related health issues, i.e. allowing teens to see and hear from skin cancer survivors or their family members who were former sun worshipers.
Of course, cosmetic companies who sell self-tanners are already working the safe, non-toxic alternative angle into their sales pitch And for those who simply can’t stand to be non-bronzed, this could be one solution (I’ll reserve my warnings against treading into Oompa Loompa territory for another post). Then again, maybe it’s time teens take a cue from “Twilight” and just learn to embrace being pale.
Ypulse readers, what do you think would be an effective PSA campaign about the dangers of indoor (and outdoor) tanning
Categorized under: Teens, Youth Advisory Board
July 31st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
One way to get the young people away from tanning beds is by offering the safe option of sunless tanning sprays. Also, we’ll have to somehow make it easier for them to figure out which sunless tanning spray would have the best outcome of looking like a natural tan for each individual with different skin tones. For more info, click on my name.
April 28th, 2010 at 9:58 am
I love tanning. Its so realxing. I guess i see it as people smoke and its bad for you but alot of people still do. I guess I know I’m gonna die at some point might as well be cute while I do it.
November 11th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Tanning is a relaxing thing to do, but I think there is a problem when people do it too much. I do it every other day, but I only stay in it for fifteen minutes. Being tan is a great thing and all, but you shouldn`t go to it everyday and stay in a bed too long.