Legislation decreases youth indoor tanning behaviour

April 17, 2019

Abstract 

Jurisdictions around the world have implemented indoor tanning legislations, which aim 
to protect all individuals, especially youth, from dangers of artificial ultraviolet radiation 
exposure. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to synthesize the 
available peer-reviewed literature to determine whether indoor tanning legislation has impacted 
the prevalence of youth indoor tanning. Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases were 
searched in 2016. Reference lists from relevant articles were also searched. An updated literature 
search was conducted in 2018. Each article was critically appraised using a merged checklist 
created from two previously validated checklists. All articles meeting the inclusion criteria were 
retained after appraisal. Seven studies, all conducted in the U.S., met the inclusion criteria. All 
studies used an observational, cross-sectional design. There were small absolute decreases in 
youth indoor tanning prevalence after legislation vs before (n=3, mean= 3% decrease, 
range=1%-6% decrease). Prevalence of youth indoor tanning was significantly lower in states 
with indoor tanning legislation vs states without legislation (n=4, mean=5% lower, range=1%
18% lower). Prevalence of youth indoor tanning was lower in states with longer standing indoor 
tanning legislation vs states with more recently implemented legislation (n=2, mean=9% lower, 
range=2%-20% lower). Indoor tanning legislation is generally associated with lower indoor 
tanning prevalence among youth. The small percent differences equate to millions of youth at the 
population level. Longer time lapses from legislation implementation to evaluation, coupled with 
greater enforcement, compliance, legislative stringency, and public education may result in even 
more pronounced declines in youth indoor tanning prevalence.  

Source:

Jessica Reimann, Jennifer E. McWhirter, Andrea Cimino, Andrew Papadopoulos, Cate Dewey, Impact of legislation on youth indoor tanning behaviour: A systematic review, Preventive Medicine, Volume 123,
2019, Pages 299-307, ISSN 0091-7435, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.03.041.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743519301173