Compliance with federal and state legislation by indoor tanning facilitiesin San Diego

Background: The prevalence rates of both skin cancers and indoor tanning am ong the US population are high and have increased substantially in recent) ears. Low compliance by indoor tanning facilities with safety regulations m ay place consumers at greater risk of skin and ocular damage. Objective: This study quantified the level of compliance by indoor tanning facilities with selected federal and state regulations and recommendations. Methods: Tanning facilities (N = 54) in San Diego County; California, were visited by a confederate posing as a prospective customer. Compliance with 13 regulations/recommendations a cre assessed by either direct query or obs ervation of the presence/absence of signs and warning labels. Operators' re sponses to 5 risk-based questions also were noted. Results: No facility complied with all 13 regulations/recommendations. Comp liance with 3 protective eyewear regulations was high (89%-100%). In contra st, compliance with maximum tanning frequency recommendations (approximatel y 6%) and parental consent regulations (approximately 43%) was disturbingly low. Conclusion: The investigators recommend instituting mandatory comprehensive training for operators, as well as systematic compliance monitoring with e nforcement of penalties for noncompliance.