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339370
Support for Tanning Bed Control Policies Among Female University Students


Monday, November 2, 2015

Andrew Seidenberg, MPH, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Jennah Sontag, School of Media and Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Chapel Hill, NC
Seth M. Noar, PhD, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Background: The US Surgeon General has recommended restrictions on tanning beds as part of a comprehensive effort to prevent skin cancer. Accordingly, there has been increased interest in tanning bed regulations. We assessed support for tanning bed control policies among a sample of female university students. 

Methods: Undergraduate sorority members at a large public university were invited to complete an online survey to assess support for three policies: statewide ban for minors’ access to tanning beds, statewide tax on tanning bed use, and city ordinance banning free tanning bed use in apartment complexes.

Results: A majority of all respondents (n=567) supported prohibiting minors’ access (76.2%), a tax (63.3%), and a ban on free indoor tanning in apartments (53.8%). Support for these policies significantly varied by tanner type and age of first tanning. A majority of never tanners (82.6%), former tanners (72.4%), and current tanners (61.2%) supported a ban on minors’ access (p<0.001). However, while a majority of never tanners (74.8%) and former tanners (63.2%) supported a tax, only 32.8% of current tanners supported this policy (p<0.001). Similarly, a minority of current tanners (31.3%) supported a ban on free tanning in apartments, while a majority of never tanners (60.8%) and former tanners (60.5%) supported the ban (p<0.001). In addition, while a majority of those who tanned indoors for the first time as a minor (57.7%) supported a ban on minors’ access, support was significantly higher for those that tanned for the first time at age 18 or later (75.3%; p=0.009). Those that tanned as a minor (36.6%) were also less likely to support a tanning tax, compared to those who began tanning at age 18 or later (52.9%; p=0.019). No difference was found in support for a ban on free tanning in apartment complexes (p=0.413).

Conclusion: Among a sample of female university students, a majority supported three tanning bed control policies, with a ban on minors’ access receiving the highest support. Policy support varied by tanner type and age of first tanning. Increasing public awareness about the dangers of tanning beds may further increase support for tanning bed control policies.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe tanning bed control policy support among female university students.

Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention and Screening, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year PhD student and have authored several peer-reviewed articles related to tanning bed use.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3205.2: Late Breaker Poster Session: Recent Findings in Public Health Epidemiology