Political Story

Tanning facilities will have licensure requirements as well as restricted access by minors, according to House Bill 1363.

House Bill 1363 has the intent to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in the state of Washington by restricting access by minors to indoor tanning facilities and by implementing safety, training, and licensure requirements for these facilities.

Beginning on July 1, 2012, all tanning facilities in the state must be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH). The license must be in a location clearly visible to customers and the fee for licensure and renewal must be set in amount necessary to defray the costs of the tanning facility licensing program, but in no case may exceed $125 per salon and $25 per additional bed more than 10.

Starting July 1, 2013 all operators must have successfully completed a DOH-approved training course. An operator must be able to recognize the customer’s skin type based on the “Fitzpatrick Scale,” which classifies skin type based on the skin’s reaction to the first 10 to 45 minutes of sun exposure after the winter season. An operator must also limit the customer’s tanning session to the duration and frequency recommended by the tanning equipment’s manufacturer.

A tanning facility shall post a warning sign in place readily visible to persons entering the establishment and must include the words, “danger-ultraviolet radiation” in letters at least one-half inch high.

The Washington State Dermatology Association [WSDA] noticed that the tanning industry in Washington is completely unregulated. “There is no required training for tanning salon employees, nor is there any state oversight of tanning salons or tanning beds,” said Sasha C. Kramer, treasurer of WSDA. “Currently, 36 other states and 7 local jurisdictions have such regulations in place.”

Representative Deborah Eddy is a supporter of this bill. “We are simply saying that this activity is sufficiently dangerous to the child, in terms of overall sun exposure, throughout the child’s lifetime, to set limits,” said Eddy. “I’m not anti-tanning; but the growth of the industry and its reliance on young women and their vanity in maintaining the profitability of the industry dose worry me terribly.”

The implementation of House Bill 1363 could drive small businesses out of business due to the rising costs for tanning facilities. Since Pullman is such a small town, with many family-owned and small businesses, this bill could make bigger waves here than in a larger town such as Spokane. All of the additional add-ons such as the personal security devices as well as licensing fees may prove to be too much for a small company to afford. Simply Tanning and Nail Spa declined to comment.

Brad Kelly owns Kelsun Distributors, the largest supplier of indoor tanning lamps in the Western U.S. Kelly does not agree with some parts of the bill. “The bill had the highest proposed registration fees in the nation at $500 per location and $100 per bed over 10 units,” said Brad. “This was a blatant attempt at taxing small businesses and a job killer in an already tough economy.” The prices were reduced to $125 per salon and $25 per additional unit, which was thought of as more reasonable.

The DOH-approved training course for tanning facility operators will have an impact on people who want to work in the tanning business. The training course may cost more money to the potential employees and deter them from pursuing a job in the tanning industry. Others may not have the time to complete such a course in order to receive a position. However, Jill Owens, a Human Development major, thinks this is a good requirement. “I really want to work in a tanning salon and this training course shows the facility is concerned about the safety of their customers,” said Owens, “However, if the price for the training course was too expensive and I had to pay out of my own pocket, I would probably look for a different job.”

This state law will most likely have a minimal impact to college students living in Pullman. Sunlight provides Vitamin D that is essential to reducing risk of heart disease and improving the functioning of your immune system that in turn helps fight cancer. The eastside of Washington state usually receives three months of warm weather and sunshine. However, that leaves the other nine months to be consumed by frigid temperatures and extreme weather patterns such as snow and hail. In order to get enough Vitamin D to ensure vitality, students and many others turn to tanning facilities in order to get their daily dose of the vitamin or to get a beautiful bronze glow.

Lindsey Klumb, a Criminal Justice major, feels that this law will not have a big impact on college students. “I understand that people need to have training in order to run and work in a tanning salon but I don’t think this law will be effective with raising public awareness,” said Lindsey with a frown. “People have their own reasons for tanning and the warnings don’t really matter.”