FDA Rescinds Tanning Bed Regulations with Kennedy's Support

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is retracting its proposal for stricter regulations on tanning beds.

Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health, made a notable post on X, pledging to end the federal government's "aggressive suppression" of various things, including what he termed "sunshine." This seems to encompass artificial sources of sunlight, specifically tanning beds.

This week, the FDA decided to abandon a long-standing proposal that aimed to prohibit individuals under the age of 18 from using tanning beds, also referred to as sunlamps. The regulations, initially suggested in late 2015, would have required users to periodically sign documents acknowledging the associated risks of skin cancer.

Medical organizations representing both doctors and patients expressed disappointment over the FDA's choice to step back from stricter regulations concerning tanning devices, which are available at tanning salons and some major gym chains.

Research indicates that indoor tanning significantly raises the likelihood of developing skin cancer, particularly in those who begin using tanning beds at a young age. Dr. Susan Taylor, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, emphasized that the proposed regulations would have been a substantial step forward in public health.

According to a significant analysis, individuals who use tanning beds before the age of 20 face nearly a 50% increased risk of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. The World Health Organization classifies UV-emitting indoor tanning devices alongside known carcinogens such as tobacco and asbestos.

Hunter Shain, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, remarked on the alarming damage observed in the skin cells of tanning bed users, stating that the case against tanning beds is as compelling as the case against tobacco use.

In a memo regarding this decision, Kennedy mentioned that the FDA was retracting the proposed rules due to "scientific and technical concerns" and the potential for "unintended consequences." A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the agency is reevaluating how to balance public health considerations with consumer access and choice.

The spokesperson added that withdrawing the proposed rule does not alter the established science regarding UV exposure, which is known to elevate skin cancer risk.

In an interview with The Atlantic last year, Kennedy responded to questions about his tanning habits by stating, "I'm not telling people that they should do anything that I do."

The FDA's initial proposal garnered over 9,000 public comments, many from individuals in the tanning industry who opposed the regulations, citing personal choice. They raised concerns about existing state restrictions and fears that individuals might seek out unregulated tanning services.

Industry groups, including the Indoor Tanning Association and the American Suntanning Association, challenged the scientific consensus on the risks associated with early UV exposure from tanning beds. However, experts like Shain argue that the evidence clearly indicates that high doses of UV radiation at a young age significantly increase cancer risk.

Shain highlighted that the damage incurred during youth tends to have lasting effects throughout a person’s life, comparing tanning bed use to sun exposure at the equator during peak hours.

There are indications that indoor tanning is regaining popularity among teenagers and young adults, influenced by health and wellness trends on social media platforms like TikTok.

While Kennedy and his MAHA supporters advocate for the health benefits of outdoor sunlight, Susan Mayne, an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Public Health and a former FDA official, notes that this differs significantly from indoor tanning.

Mayne's research has focused on the prevalence of skin cancer among young adults and teens who frequent indoor tanning salons, which has prompted states like Connecticut to implement regulations for minors. She argues that a national regulation like the one the FDA proposed would have been meaningful.

Mayne remarked, "The Make America Healthy Again movement talks about reducing risk for our kids. The actual actions that we see from the administration tend to be deregulatory, taking down regulations that would be in place to help protect our children."