Pallone, Health Officials Spread Awareness of Tanning Bed Dangers

The summer season brings hordes of beach-goers to Long Branch and other surrounding towns.

However, it also brings the sun's harmful UV rays and the increased use of tanning beds for "base tans."

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and health officials spoke in Pier Village on Thursday morning to discuss how residents can protect themselves from the sun and show their support for legislation that would impose tighter restrictions on tanning salons.

The legislation, which is currently pending in the New Jersey Assembly, would bar teenagers under the age of 18 from using tanning beds in tanning salons. Currently, teenagers only need parental permission to use the beds.

"Kids shouldn't be doing this until they can make an informed decision on their own," Dr. Fred Jacobs of the American Cancer Society said. "There has been a 43 percent increase in melanoma in the last year and there are as many cases of newly diagnosed melanoma as there are for breast cancer."

Pallone said 76 percent of melanomas are attributable to the use of a tanning device.

With colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Pallone released a report in February that found evidence of false and misleading health information provided to teenagers by many in the indoor tanning industry minimizing the effects of indoor tanning.

"The findings of this report on indoor tanning are startling, particularly when we know that tanning beds do pose a health risk," Pallone said. "I encourage everyone to prevent skin cancer by being sun-safe outside and avoiding harmful tanning beds inside."

Pallone said by wearing protective clothing and using broad-spectrum water-resistant SPF of at least 30, beach-goers can help protect themselves from ultra violet rays. 

He said there are also Food an Drug Administration (FDA) regulations coming soon that will require over-the-counter sunscreen to labeled more clearly and accurately. The new regulations would also require labels to explain the difference between water-proof and water-resistant sunscreens.

Pallone said the summer season is about enjoying the nice weather and the beaches, but that residents should also be careful when exposing themselves to the sun.

"We want people to come down, but it's really important to take the proper precautions," Pallone said.