Tanning beds classified as cancer-causing since 2009
U.S. tanning salons should ban minors to protect them from developing skin cancer, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged in a new policy statement released Monday. The AAP, which represents 60,000 pediatricians, now joins the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Dermatology and other groups in encouraging a ban. Tanning beds have been classified as cancer-causing since 2009 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the WHO. People who start going to tanning salons before they turn 35 have a 75 per cent higher chance of developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, but surveys have found that nearly one-quarter of white American teens have tried indoor tanning at least once, and many do it regularly. Eleven states have tanning restrictions for kids, but none go as high as 18 years.