The Food and Drug Administration has long been trying to ban the use of indoor tanning beds for individuals aged 18 and below. The organization is finally one step closer to making the ban a definite reality through the release of the proposed rules for the campaign.
The proposal is being pushed due to the known hazardous effects of tanning beds on people. On average, 3,000 emergency room visits happen a year because of indoor tanning related injuries.
"Today's action is intended to help protect young people from a known and preventable cause of skin cancer and other harms. Individuals under the age 18 are at greatest risk of the adverse health consequences of indoor tanning," acting FDA Commissioner Stephen Ostroff said, according to Reuters.
Aside from the ban on minors, the proposal also requires patrons of tanning salons to obtain a signed risk acknowledgment form before their first session and again every six months stating they are aware of the health risks associated with the machines, according to CNN.
Those who fail to follow the rules, once finalized, will be subjected to fines, and machines will be confiscated.
The proposal also demands action from manufacturers, requiring them to place bigger warning signs and an emergency off switch.
The Indoor Tanning Association has given its sentiments on the proposal, saying that the decisions about tanning should be left to parents, not the government.
"We are concerned that the proposed requirements will burden our members with additional unnecessary governmental costs in an already difficult economic climate," said the group, The Huffington Post reported.
FDA is opening the proposal to the public for 90 days, after which, it will start on the remaining processes for finalization.
