Australians' use of fake tanning lotions: another piece of the puzzle.
OBJECTIVE
To assess community attitudes and practices in relation to fake tanning lotions.


METHODS
1,509 New South Wales residents aged 15 years and over, selected at random, completed a computer-assisted telephone survey.


RESULTS
Thirty-three per cent of respondents thought fake tanning lotions were unsafe. In relation to The Cancer Council marketing fake tanning lotions, more than three-fifths thought The Cancer Council would be promoting tans, although 62% thought it would be a good thing as fake tans are safer than tanning in the sun. Nine per cent of respondents had used fake tanning lotions in the past 12 months. Almost half (48%) of female current users used fake tanning lotions occasionally or only for special occasions during the past summer. In particular settings, the sunscreen and hat-wearing practices of female users and non-users of fake tanning lotions differed significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be no consistent data to suggest that fake tanning lotions may be used as a safer alternative to sun tanning. However, there is a responsibility to at least disseminate accurate information on these products.
Girgis
Afaf
A
Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, The Cancer Council New South Wales, Wallsend, New South Wales 2267. Afaf.Girgis@newcastle.edu.au
Tzelepis
Flora
F
Paul
Christine L
CL
Walsh
Raoul A
RA
McElduff
Patrick
P
McKenzie
Jeanie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification
D013473:Sunscreening Agents