Dermatologists Slam Group Promoting Indoor Tanning Despite Cancer Risks

Calls campaign "ridiculous"

A campaign from the newly-formed American Suntanning Association is being slammed by the American Academy of Dermatology. The ASA disputed claims that tanning indoors increases the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma (the deadliest kind) to which the dermatology group replied, “The recent statements by the ASA are ridiculous and there is no data to support them. Indoor tanning is dangerous." However, the tanning association promised, "We promote a fair and balanced message about UV exposure" and, in a document that appeared on online industry forum TanToday, said, “Promoting the indoor tanning industry will require retention of scientists throughout the world to help us debunk the scientific reports being used against us, and a major PR and lobbying campaign to bring the truth about indoor tanning to the government and to the public at large.” The tanning association was created last month and is comprised of 1,400 salon owners. (NBC News)

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