Tan Tax Goes Into Effect July 1

The Tan Tax Is Almost Here

March 26, 2010

There was talk of a "tan tax" before, but now it's for real. On July 1, tanning bed users are in for a price hike. That's when the newly-passed health reform bill's 10 percent tax on tanning goes into effect. The tax is a measure designed to discourage people from exposing themselves to the dangerously high levels of UV rays in tanning beds, since tanning bed users double their risks of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Spray tan and self-tanners won't be affected, since they don't pose a health hazard and their tanning mechanism is unrelated to UV tanning. I'm glad for anything that discourages tanning, since it's unnecessary, causes premature aging, and has been proven to be terrible for you. Do you think a tax is the right way to get people to stop tanning?

17 Comments

3 years

Number 15, you are special. living proof of how hard people try to make themself feel better about their "unhealthy" habbits. But yes, number 15, you are right. Tanning beds will not give you cancer. once u plug it in, and turn it on, then, and only then, will it start contributing to your cancer. But you can lay in it unplugged all you want and it wont give you cancer :)

Bettye Wayne 3 years

Why are the anonymous comments the screwiest ones? #15 saying you get cancer from UV RAYS not TANNING BEDS is like saying you get cancer from TOBACCO not CIGARETTES.

3 years

FYI There is no possible way to get cancer from a tanning bed.. You get cancer from over exposure to uv rays and you cant get over exposure in tanning beds. And melanoma is hereditary not from uv rays.. this tan tax is ridiculous!

3 years

@ #7: I think you make a valid point, but I disagree that this only effects the person tanning. If people keep doing things that they know are harmful to them and are proven to cause horrible diseases, then the rest of the country is paying for it because their treatments are going to be so expensive. Where is the government supposed to draw the line about what we can and can't do with out own bodies? The government tells me that prostitution is illegal. But why? I'm not "hurting" anyone but myself, and it's MY body, so shouldn't I be allowed to sell myself? Tanning is completely unnecessary and the effects are horrible. Why anyone would enter a tanning bed with the information that we have about it is beyond me. Even if this tax deters a few people from going, then I think it is worthwhile. People need to stop acting like tanning and smoking and junk food are constitutional rights, and start taking responsibility for their health.

Bettye Wayne 3 years

I'm glad they're taxing tanning beds, and I sincerely hope they DO start taxing cheeseburgers and ice-cream and soda and Doritos. I mean, if people are going to harm themselves, we may as well rake in some much-needed tax dollars while they're at it.

pamela87 3 years

I'm opposed to the tax measure; unless they tax all "food" products with HFCS in them, I think it is VERY unfair. I think people's Coke and Doritos habits are MUCH more dangerous than an occasional tan.

tntstudent 3 years

This is stupid, next they will be taxing cheeseburgers and ice cream! Tanning is fine in moderation and those of us who use it in moderation shouldnt be punished because some idiots cant tan safely! Are they going to tax me if i lay out in my backyard too :(

3 years

Mineral oil and birth control are in the same class of carcinogens. I will take moderate UV. I also am 32 and my type 2 skin looks younger, much younger, than my peers. My other cancer risks go down with my exposure, while melanoma is typically found in areas not frequently exposed to UV. MODERATION; It's not slathering on sunscreen every day of your life.

GummiBears 3 years

Like alcohol, cigarettes, and all of the other "sin taxable" goods, it will not stop people from consuming these things. If you are a Chicagoan, you either go to a different county or go across state lines to get it cheaper.

lifeloveandlattes 3 years

It is not up to the government to decide. Is it stupid to tan in tanning beds? Probably. Is it every American's choice to do so? Absolutely.

myystque 3 years

I'm undecided about this because I'm not a big fan of government making policy to stop adults from doing things that only harm themselves (although I guess you could make a case that society is harmed once those people use up medical services, etc.). But to me, most people should be well aware (just like with smoking) that tanning is bad for you and if they still choose to do so, then why should government intervene? But, as a revenue measure, sure.

secondstar 3 years

It's times like these that make me appreciate my pale Irish skin with an inability to tan.

inlove23 3 years

I defiantly agree with the tax! So many people in my old highschool were tanoxeric and a lot of them looked so much older than they were. I defiantly get super tan in the summer, but I would never ever use a tanning bed because it's so dangerous. Now thirteen year olds needs a prescription to go tanning. Ha!

skigurl 3 years

oh and i have a full time job...it's not like i couldn't afford it...imagine young teenagers in highschool or college...they definitely shouldn't be able to afford it so the tax will deter for sure

skigurl 3 years

i agree, extreme costs will deter young women...just the other day i decided not to go tanning even though i feel pale and gross because it would have cost me $100 to buy a normal package...so i decided to take that $100 and get a facial and do my skin a favor instead of harm

onlysourcherry 3 years

I've never used a tanning bed in my life, but i always think these moral tax hikes are stupid. I'm sure we're in for many many more though since the bill passed.

jessvogel85 3 years

I think it's a great idea! Most young women do not realize the increased risk to skin cancer from tanning beds, and many companies are very misleading. I saw a tanning salon that once advertised you should tan everyday to get your daily dose of Vitamin D! Ridiculous! An increase in the consumer's cost to tanning should hopefully deter some young women.

Link Love

17 Comments