Indoor UV tanning operator opinion regarding youth access: an electronic survey.
BACKGROUND
Adolescents frequently use indoor tanning facilities, but little is known about tanning facility operator opinions regarding this use. Objective To assess indoor tanning operator attitudes and stated practices regarding youth access.


METHODS
We electronically surveyed 89 indoor tanning facilities and 130 spas with active e-mail addresses.


RESULTS
The survey response rate was 21% for both indoor tanning facilities (19/89) and spas (27/130). Most tanning operators (92%) felt that a client can be too young to receive indoor tanning, and most felt that written parental permission should be required (80%). Most facilities required adult accompaniment (92%), and most operators had discouraged a customer from receiving indoor tanning based on age (77%). The reported age of the youngest patron receiving indoor tanning ranged from 5 to 21 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Our sample of indoor tanning facility operators believed that minimum age and parental consent regulations for indoor tanning should be required.
Hester
Eric J
EJ
Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
Johnson
Kathryn R
KR
Crane
Lori A
LA
Schilling
Lisa M
LM
Dellavalle
Robert P
RP
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001505:Beauty Culture; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce