North Carolina salons narrowly escaped a couple of provisions
in a law that took effect Oct. 1 that would have severely stifled
their businesses. A law signed into effect on Aug. 2 by Governor
Mike Easley almost included language that would require salons to
make tanners follow manufacturer-recommended exposure times.
The final language
on the bill states that salons must inform clients of the hazards
of UV radiation and collect an acknowledgement from clients that
they received the warning. The bill also prohibits children 13
years old and younger from tanning without a prescription from a
doctor, and prohibits salons from claiming that using tanning
equipment is safe, which the Federal Trade Commission had already
prohibited.
Following its introduction to the
legislative system two years ago by Senator James Forrester, the
Indoor Tanning Association and lobbyists followed the progress of
the bill and gave their input on its language. “Our concern was
the original language that stated indoor tanning salons must have
tanners follow the manufacturer-recommended exposure times for
tanning sessions,” explained John Overstreet, executive director
of the ITA. “That could mean, for example, that a person with a
base tan who just spent two weeks in the islands could only tan
for three minutes during their first tanning session at a salon.
In conversations with the FDA, it is very
clear the agency does not see the recommended exposure schedules
being used as a hard and fast rule. The FDA sees the schedule as
one of many factors the salon uses in determining proper session
times.”
Chip Stroud, president of tanning supply
distributor American Sun Systems in Greensboro, NC and a member of
the ITA Board of Directors, met with two senators about the bill
about one year ago to give his input on the bill. “North
 Carolina
has been a regulated state for many years, and I think regulations
are good for the industry and for the consumer, but when I hear
about proposed regulations that are not supported by any
scientific research I want to get involved,” Chip said. He, his
wife Cathy Stroud, who is the vice president of American Sun
Systems, John Overstreet and two lobbyists from Washington D.C.
met with lobbyists from North Carolina to discuss language for the
bill that would be more appropriate. “I don’t believe prohibiting
salons from allowing children 13 and under to tan unless they have
a prescription will affect salons’ business much,” Chip said.
Betty Johnson, owner of Electra Sun salons
in Burlington and Graham, NC said she didn’t have many clients who
were age 13 and younger, but the ones she notified questioned why
tanning at age 14 is supposed to be safe, and at age 13, it isn’t.
“It didn’t create a problem but it raised questions,” she said.
Betty pointed out that before Oct. 1, North Carolina regulations
required tanners to read a document about the dangers of UV
radiation and sign and date the document, which salons keep on
file – so she wasn’t sure why that regulation was included in the
bill.
Bill Felty, owner of La Image Tanning
salons in Clemmons and Winston-Salem, NC said the new law won’t
affect him much, he will just have to train employees to know that
children age 13 and younger are not allowed to tan, and he will
post the information on a sign. “My concern is that once these
government officials get their foot in the door, this could lead
to other regulations,” he said.
John Overstreet said salon owners across
the U.S. should be aware that there are many state legislators who
do not understand this industry and who may attempt to place
additional restrictions on the way these businesses are run.
“Salon owners
need to stay alert about proposed regulations,” he said. “When
salon owners get involved, they are a very effective voice.” He
said it is important that salon owners introduce themselves to
government officials now, so that when regulatory issues arise,
they aren’t meeting officials for the first time.
“Every state has a website where salon
owners can do a search by their city or zip code and find out who
their local senators and representatives are and how to contact
them,” John explained. “They can simply call a local official and
say, ‘I’d like to stop by your office and tell you about my
business.’ Salon owners can also write a letter or send an email,
which takes very little time. Government officials intimidate many
people, but they are just regular people like you and me.” |
