Spring Break
Thank you for tanning
Why does skin cancer get a pass on regulation?
Lara Oliver
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinion
Imagine opening up one of the local papers or coupon books around campus to see the ad "HYPE! Hypothetical 'Risks' of Smoking!" above a blurb on how recent research has proven that the dangers of smoking tobacco are greatly outweighed by the risks of not smoking. You'd be wondering if tobacco lobbyists, the kind seen in "Thank You For Smoking," had finally destroyed legislation barring false advertising, wouldn't you?
Well, you'd be pretty close. While tobacco, alcohol and firearms and the advertising related to these products receive close regulation and restrictions for the sake of public safety, the same cannot be said for another consumer product that has been contributing to rising rates of cancer among Americans -- indoor tanning.
As youth smoking, incidents of lung cancer and other diseases related to tobacco consumption fall, incidents of melanoma, especially among white females, have been rising at considerable speed. According the National Cancer Institute, it is only one of the many forms of cancer that has seen an increase, according to their 2007 report.
This disturbing trend, along with the rise of lobbying groups such as Sun Light Scam and Berman and Company seeking to inform the public on the "myth" of the correlation between tanning and melanoma, has me wondering why in the world such a dangerous practice is so unregulated compared to other vices.
If I wanted to inform the public on my stance on how there is no correlation between incidents of alcohol poisoning and the consumption of beer, especially if I just so happened to namedrop a brewery I work for as one of these bastions of non-alcohol non-poisoning, I'd be laughed out of every venue I approached. Yet, Sun Light Scam was able to run an entire page in The New York Times denouncing the statistics of the correlation between indoor tanning and rising melanoma incidents. Their own "statistics" showed that it's more dangerous not to use indoor tanning due to the innate human need to absorb Vitamin D, even though only about 20 minutes of exposure to the sun every day is considered adequate enough to avoid deficiency. These 20 minutes of sun exposure can be easily attained just by walking to and from class, and you don't have to wear goofy goggles while doing it.
Well, you'd be pretty close. While tobacco, alcohol and firearms and the advertising related to these products receive close regulation and restrictions for the sake of public safety, the same cannot be said for another consumer product that has been contributing to rising rates of cancer among Americans -- indoor tanning.
As youth smoking, incidents of lung cancer and other diseases related to tobacco consumption fall, incidents of melanoma, especially among white females, have been rising at considerable speed. According the National Cancer Institute, it is only one of the many forms of cancer that has seen an increase, according to their 2007 report.
This disturbing trend, along with the rise of lobbying groups such as Sun Light Scam and Berman and Company seeking to inform the public on the "myth" of the correlation between tanning and melanoma, has me wondering why in the world such a dangerous practice is so unregulated compared to other vices.
If I wanted to inform the public on my stance on how there is no correlation between incidents of alcohol poisoning and the consumption of beer, especially if I just so happened to namedrop a brewery I work for as one of these bastions of non-alcohol non-poisoning, I'd be laughed out of every venue I approached. Yet, Sun Light Scam was able to run an entire page in The New York Times denouncing the statistics of the correlation between indoor tanning and rising melanoma incidents. Their own "statistics" showed that it's more dangerous not to use indoor tanning due to the innate human need to absorb Vitamin D, even though only about 20 minutes of exposure to the sun every day is considered adequate enough to avoid deficiency. These 20 minutes of sun exposure can be easily attained just by walking to and from class, and you don't have to wear goofy goggles while doing it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Lauren Morris
posted 3/25/09 @ 7:19 PM EST
You make excellent points about the craze of tanning, when it is, in fact, as dangerous as alcohol or tobacco. I'd never looked at it that way, thank you for this column. (Continued…)
John
posted 3/29/09 @ 1:01 PM EST
Wow! Just wow!
Perhaps you should educate yourself a bit more before you go off on these types of rants?
There is plenty of research suggesting moderate UV exposure is indeed good. (Continued…)
Barbara
posted 3/30/09 @ 9:18 PM EST
Where have you read that tanning is healthy? I have never seen anything like that. Do your own research and don't rely on what "paid advertisers"tell you whats good and not good for you. (Continued…)
Derf
posted 3/31/09 @ 7:05 PM EST
Lara, I'd like to dirty you up in my bedroom. Nothing is hotter than a pale, milk white girl. Hit me up on my email derf704@hotmail.com, so we can get filthy together. (Continued…)
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