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UV tanning advertisements in high school newspapers.

Freeman S, Francis S, Lundahl K, Bowland T, Dellavalle RP

Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Aurora, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the increasing use of UV tanning parlors by adolescents, despite the World Health Organization recommendation that no one under the age of 18 years use UV tanning devices. DESIGN: We examined tanning advertisements in a sample of public high school newspapers published between 2001 and 2005 in 3 Colorado counties encompassing the Denver metropolitan area. RESULTS: Tanning advertisements appeared in newspapers from 11 (48%) of 23 schools. Newspaper issues (N = 131) contained 40 advertisements placed by 18 tanning parlors. Advertisements commonly offered discounts (19 of 40) including unlimited tanning offers (15 of 40). Thirteen advertisements featured non-UV tanning treatments, and 2 advertisements mentioned parental consent or accompaniment for UV tanning. CONCLUSIONS: UV radiation, a classified carcinogen, is commonly and specifically marketed to adolescents through high school newspaper advertising. Public health skin cancer prevention policies should include the prohibition of UV tanning advertising to minors.

Published 18 April 2006 in Arch Dermatol, 142(4): 460-2.
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